Lagos Backs NCC for Economic Boost

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to partnering with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to fuel economic expansion. Speaking during a Thursday courtesy visit by the NCC’s Governing Board at Lagos House, Marina, he positioned Lagos as a frontline hub for telecom-driven progress. 

Governor’s Vision for Telecom Growth

Sanwo-Olu hailed the NCC as a visionary federal agency, crediting President Bola Tinubu for appointing capable leaders like Chairman Idris Olorunnimbe to steer Nigeria’s communications sector—a vital engine for GDP enhancement. He emphasized Lagos’s role as a national pilot for equitable development, promising to exceed expectations in attracting investments to technology and communications. “This sector is a deep growth path to strengthen our economy,” he stated, underscoring its potential to bridge infrastructure gaps nationwide. 

The governor highlighted Lagos’s openness to investors, noting technology as key to rapid catch-up in service delivery. This aligns with prior state efforts, including over $1.2 billion in digital investments like data centers and submarine cables attracted in recent years. 

NCC Chairman’s Appeal and Proposals

Idris Olorunnimbe, describing Sanwo-Olu as his mentor from a past appointment to the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund board, prioritized Lagos as the NCC board’s inaugural post-inauguration visit. He spotlighted underserved Lagos communities where telecom operators hesitate due to low commercial viability and high infrastructure costs. Olorunnimbe urged free “right of way” grants for telecom setups in these areas, proposing collaboration with LASIMRA to pioneer this model for other states. 

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This push aims to incentivize operators to extend services to remote spots, enhancing connectivity and economic inclusion. The NCC plans to work closely with state officials to roll out pilots swiftly. ​

The meeting signals deepening federal-state synergy under Tinubu’s administration, with Lagos testing scalable telecom solutions. As Nigeria’s economic powerhouse, the state’s support could amplify national digital transformation, boosting sectors from e-commerce to public services. Coverage of the event has spread across outlets like Inside Business NG and Real News Magazine since January 28, reflecting its timeliness for today’s readers.