KATSINA — Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has approved the constitution of a four-member State Working Committee to work with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and MTN Nigeria on expanding digital infrastructure and connectivity across the state.
The committee was constituted after Governor Radda received the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, who led senior officials of the commission and representatives of MTN Nigeria on a courtesy visit to the Government House, Katsina.
Radda said the state government was moving from discussions on digital transformation to structured implementation.
“We are not interested in talks alone. We want action,” the governor said, directing the committee to immediately engage MTN and develop clear technical, commercial and delivery arrangements.
The committee comprises the Director-General/CEO of the Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA), Alhaji Ibrahim Tukur Jikamshi; the Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Development Management Board (KTDMB); the Director-General of the Katsina State Directorate of ICT (KADICT); and the General Manager of the Urban and Regional Planning Board (URPB).
According to the state government, the committee will engage MTN Nigeria, constitute a joint technical team, validate priority interventions and develop a business case and implementation plan for consideration by the state government.
The development is expected to support ongoing efforts by the Radda administration to facilitate fibre-optic deployment and expand broadband connectivity as part of its digital transformation agenda.
Earlier, Maida reaffirmed the NCC’s commitment to supporting Katsina State in deepening digital transformation, expanding telecommunications infrastructure and improving access to connectivity across the state.
In a presentation, MTN Nigeria outlined proposals for strengthening Katsina’s digital foundation and connectivity, using technology to bring government services closer to citizens and deploying data and digital intelligence to improve public-sector planning and service delivery.
The telecommunications company also proposed targeted network expansion to underserved and rural communities, agricultural areas, markets and economic clusters, as well as education and health facilities and strategic economic corridors.
The proposals, however, are subject to joint assessment of existing infrastructure, technical feasibility and commercial viability.
MTN’s proposed implementation pathway includes forming a joint team, assessing existing coverage, identifying pilot locations and developing a business case before the rollout of pilot projects.
As part of the engagement, Maida presented learning computers to his late father’s alma mater, Sarki Dikko College, formerly Government College Katsina, and 117 tablets to pupils of Garama Primary School to support digital education and inclusion.
The meeting was attended by Jikamshi and other senior state government officials.
