The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have entered into a partnership to deploy renewable energy solutions for telecommunications infrastructure in rural and underserved communities, a move expected to reduce operators’ energy costs and improve network availability.
Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner for Technical Services at the NCC, disclosed this during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Friday in Abuja.
According to Oshadami, the NCC-REA Stakeholder Forum and MoU signing ceremony will enable telecom base stations located near mini-grids to access cleaner and more affordable electricity, reducing their reliance on diesel-powered generators.
He said the agreement came at a time when telecom operators are facing rising operational costs due to increased spending on diesel to power network sites amid unreliable electricity supply from the national grid.
The partnership reflects the growing relationship between the power and telecommunications sectors, as both rely on each other to deliver essential services.
Oshadami explained that while telecom infrastructure requires a steady power supply to remain operational, digital connectivity also supports electricity services such as smart metering, electronic payments and remote customer management.
According to him, the collaboration is aimed at improving access to reliable electricity and telecommunications services, particularly in remote communities where inadequate power supply has slowed digital inclusion.
He said both agencies had identified telecom base stations located within one to two kilometres of existing mini-grids, allowing the implementation of the initiative to begin immediately.
“Where mini-grids exist, we are able to identify nearby base stations and connect them to those power sources,” Oshadami said.
He added that future mini-grid projects would be planned with telecommunications infrastructure in mind, ensuring that electricity investments also support the expansion of digital services.
Oshadami said the transition to renewable energy would improve the reliability of telecom services, especially in communities without access to the national electricity grid.
“The whole globe is now more or less a village. It is only possible because of connectivity,” he said, noting that improved connectivity would support economic activities and social development.
For the REA, the agreement marks a shift towards greater coordination between the country’s electricity and telecommunications infrastructure development plans.
Umar Abdullahi, Executive Director of Technical Services at the agency, said both organisations had previously worked independently despite pursuing related development goals.
“Prior to today, both agencies, NCC and REA, have been working in silos. By signing this MoU, we are coming together with one agenda so that our efforts complement each other,” he said.
Abdullahi said the partnership would involve detailed mapping of electricity and telecommunications infrastructure to identify areas where coordinated investments could deliver the greatest impact.
He disclosed that an NCC-REA Collaboration Committee had been established to oversee implementation, develop pilot projects and recommend strategies for expanding the initiative nationwide.
One of the first areas of focus, he said, would be migrating telecom towers currently powered by diesel generators to renewable energy sources supplied through mini-grids.
“This will provide cheaper and cleaner energy, reduce the cost of operating these towers and help expand coverage to more Nigerians,” Abdullahi said.
The NCC-REA partnership is expected to improve the sustainability of telecom operations, reduce dependence on diesel and support Nigeria’s broader efforts to expand digital access.
