The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called on the Nigerian government to formally recognize community-led networks as Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to bridge the nation’s persistent digital divide.
The advocacy follows growing concerns over limited internet access in underserved regions, which affects millions of Nigerians.
At a media briefing in Kano, Haruna Adamu Hadejia, Coordinator of CITAD’s School of Community Network, stressed that community-driven connectivity initiatives are critical to delivering tailored internet solutions to marginalized areas.
“In this digital age, leaving nearly 28 million Nigerians without internet access is unacceptable,” Hadejia declared, citing a 2022 study by Nigeria’s Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF). The report revealed a slight reduction in underserved communities—from 114 to 97 clusters—yet approximately 27.91 million people remain impacted.
Hadejia highlighted the cascading effects of the connectivity gap, particularly on education and livelihoods. “In areas without internet, parents are often forced to send their children far from home just to access the internet for registration, Computer-Based Tests (CBT), or checking exam results. These communities are classified as either underserved or completely unserved,” he explained.
He emphasized that students, youth, and women’s groups face heightened marginalization due to their reliance on digital tools for learning, entrepreneurship, and social inclusion.
To tackle the crisis, CITAD urged the Minister of Digital Economy to integrate community networks into Nigeria’s ISP regulatory framework, arguing that local initiatives empower communities to own and manage internet infrastructure aligned with their needs.
Hadejia further appealed to the USPF to allocate grants and financial backing for grassroots connectivity projects, while calling on Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to partner with—rather than compete against—community networks. “Collaboration could unlock access to remote areas commercial providers often neglect,” he asserted.
