The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have inaugurated a Joint Collaboration Committee to fast-track the deployment of renewable energy for telecom infrastructure across the country.
The inauguration, which took place at the NCC Headquarters in Abuja, marks a significant alignment between Nigeria’s digital transformation goals and its clean energy agenda. Present at the event were the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, the Managing Director of REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, senior executives, and committee members from both organizations.
According to a statement from the NCC’s Acting Head of Public Affairs, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, Dr. Maida described the partnership as a strategic convergence of critical national priorities. He emphasized the importance of powering telecommunications infrastructure with sustainable energy to ensure reliable service delivery, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
“Whether it is powering a base station or enabling a child to access digital learning, this partnership has the potential to transform realities and bring opportunity closer to the people,” Dr. Maida stated. “This initiative is about more than infrastructure—it is about driving inclusion, bridging inequalities and creating the conditions for shared prosperity.”
The collaboration directly supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by reinforcing the government’s commitment to inclusive digital and energy development. The NCC–REA committee has been tasked with implementing integrated solutions such as powering telecom sites using off-grid solar and hybrid systems, data-sharing for coordinated planning, funding alignment, and impact tracking through measurable performance indicators.
Dr. Maida charged the newly inaugurated committee to be result-oriented, urging members to deliver actionable outcomes that will improve telecom reliability while advancing Nigeria’s renewable energy footprint.
REA’s Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, echoed the sentiment, expressing optimism that the partnership would deliver scalable, sustainable development to Nigerians living beyond the reach of grid electricity and mobile network coverage.
“This collaboration is an opportunity to unlock development potential in the most neglected parts of our country,” Aliyu said. “We are proud to be working alongside the NCC in pioneering an innovative and impactful approach to national development.”
The joint committee is expected to serve as a model for inter-agency synergy, demonstrating how integrated governance can fast-track the goals outlined in the National Broadband Plan (2020–2025) and Nigeria’s commitment to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As Nigeria accelerates its transition to clean energy, this partnership is viewed as a critical lever for reducing telecom-related emissions, cutting operational costs for mobile network operators, and enabling stable connectivity in areas where grid access is unreliable or non-existent. The collaboration also presents opportunities for job creation and local value chain development in both the telecom and renewable energy sectors.
Industry analysts say the initiative could spur innovation in green telecom solutions and attract investment into Nigeria’s solar and hybrid power market, especially in rural connectivity projects.
With over 40 million Nigerians still lacking reliable internet and power access, the NCC–REA partnership represents a vital and timely intervention. By joining forces, the two federal agencies are not only helping close Nigeria’s digital divide but also contributing meaningfully to the nation’s clean energy ambitions.