Senate Approves N287bn to Drive Telecom Expansion, Digital Inclusion

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

As part of efforts to deepen digital connectivity and enhance telecommunications infrastructure across Nigeria, the Senate yesterday approved a total budget of N287 billion for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) for the 2025 fiscal year.

The approval followed the adoption of a report presented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Communications, Senator IkraAliyuBilbis, during plenary.

According to the approved figures, N272.433 billion was allocated to the NCC, while N15 billion was earmarked for the USPF.

USPF is a special intervention fund managed by the Commission to extend communication services to underserved and unserved areas of the country.

A breakdown of the USPF budget showed that N10.9 billion was designated for projects and programmes that promote digital inclusion, while N4.04 billion would cover recurrent expenses of the Fund’s secretariat.

The sum of N53.96 million was, however, allocated for capital expenditure.

“The Committee, having reviewed the budget documents and interacted with the Fund’s management, recommends that the Senate approve the sum of fifteen billion naira (N15,000,000,000) only for the operations of the USPF in the 2025 fiscal year,” Senator Bilbis told lawmakers during the presentation of the report.

Earlier during the budget defence session, Director of Financial Services at the NCC, Mr. YakubuGontor, who led the technical presentation, disclosed that of the NCC’s proposed N272.423 billion, N95.668 billion was for recurrent expenditure; N10.75 billion earmarked for capital projects, while N40.93 billion was reserved for special projects.

The motion for the adoption of the report was moved and unanimously approved by the Senate without objection.

The approved budgets are expected to bolster Nigeria’s drive toward universal access to broadband and digital services, especially in rural and remote communities.

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    •Solomon Dalung: ADC is ready for 2027

    Chuks Okocha in Abuja

    The African Democratic Congress, ADC yesterday affirmed the coalition political party has successfully completed its documentations with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi told THISDAY the party has successfully met all aspects of the documentation with the regulatory electoral body.

    According to Abdullahi in a chat with THISDAY, “We have successfully completed our documentations with INEC. In fact, we were able to meet the outstanding documentations as at Thursday last week.”

    INEC had alerted the coalition party is yet to complete its documentation with the ADC.

    It was gathered some of the issues outstanding were the submission of the principal officers of the party, particularly, the signatories of the National Chairman, Senator David Mark and the National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola.

    Also, the former Sports Minister Solomon Dalung has said that the ADC is fully prepared for the 2027 general elections,

    Speaking as a guest on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Monday, he dismissed fears that procedural issues could affect the party’s readiness for the polls.

    According to Dalung, “The ADC is a registered political party in Nigeria and has been in existence for over 19 years.

    “The party is undergoing a transition where coalition elements have been incorporated, and this process is ongoing, so it is incorrect to assert that it is an association,” Dalung said.

    “The requirements of INEC are legal obligations and the ADC has no choice but to comply. To the best of my knowledge, party leaders are working tirelessly to ensure proper documentation is done,” he said.

    He added the coalition must uphold the rule of law if it is to help rescue the country.

    “If injustice, impunity, lack of internal democracy and lack of respect for the rule of law are the things that have jeopardised our democracy, then the coalition movement must ensure that everything is done within the context of the law,” he stressed.

    Reacting to claims by Dumebi Kachikwu, the ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, that the party had been hijacked by outsiders, Dalung dismissed the allegations.

    “The former presidential candidate is a member of the party, but being a candidate in the last election does not place him within the organs of the party.

    “The party is guided by its constitution, and I do not see where the right he is laying claim to is appropriated to him. He is free to hold opinions, but referring to other members of the party in such derogatory terms is inappropriate,” he said.

    “Let me confirm that the issue has been settled and within a few days Nigerians will hear the proper position of things,” he stated.

    Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, the former minister expressed confidence in the ADC’s ability to serve as a credible opposition.

    “The ADC is prepared for 2027, and these challenges, whether internal wranglings or procedural requirements, are normal.

    “From our activities across the country, it is clear that Nigerians can count on us to provide a credible alternative to the ruling party,” he said.

    The post Bolaji Abdullahi: We Have Completed our Documentations with INEC appeared first on THISDAYLIVE.

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    •Solomon Dalung: ADC is ready for 2027 Chuks Okocha in Abuja The African Democratic Congress, ADC yesterday affirmed the coalition political party has successfully completed its documentations with the Independent
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    CVR: Over 3.5m Nigerians Registered in Three Weeks

    CVR: Over 3.5m Nigerians Registered in Three Weeks

    •As INEC Bayelsa set for voter education road show September 11

    Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that a total of 3,544,850 Nigerians have registered online for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) within three weeks.

    INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun in a statement issued Monday noted the commission would start presenting the combined figures of the completed online pre-registration and the physical (in-person) registration in a single graphic.

    In a related development, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Bayelsa State, through its Voter Education, Publicity and Gender Department (VEPGD), has fixed September 11, 2025, as the official date for the flag-off of its voter education road show.

    The announcement was made by the Head of Department, Mr. Christian Utong, during a strategic engagement with accredited Voter Education Service Providers (VESP) in Yenagoa.

    Meanwhile, INEC National Commissioner Sam Olumekun said: “In continuation of our weekly update on the ongoing nationwide voter registration, the Commission is pleased to publish the data at the end of the third week of the online pre-registration and second week of the physical (in-person) option.

    “As at Sunday 7th September 2025, a total of 3,544,850 Nigerians have now pre-registered online in three weeks since the commencement of the exercise on 18th August 2025.

    “The figure at the end of Week Three shows that 1,709,933 (48.24 per cent) are male and 1,834,917 (51.76 per cent) are female. In terms of age and occupation, the majority 2,291,809 (64.65 per cent) are between the ages of 18 and 34 while 882,441 (24.89 per cent) are students.

    “The cumulative figure since the physical (in-person) registration commenced on 25th August 2025 is 288,614 as of Thursday, 4th September 2025 of which 132,634 (45.96 per cent) are male and 155,980 (54.04 per cent) are female.

    “In terms of age and occupation, 215,414 (74.64 per cent) are between the ages of 18 and 34 while 114,150 (39.55 per cent) are students.”

    Olumekun stressed that the distribution of both online and completed registrations by State, gender, age, occupation and disability have been uploaded to its website and other official platforms for public information.

    He added that the Commission appreciated the positive response of citizens and organisations that have mobilised civic participation for the exercise.

    The commission reiterated that voter registration is only open to citizens who are 18 years or older at the time of registration.

    He emphasised it is illegal for anyone to encourage underage registration or those below 18 years of age to register in anticipation that they will attain the legal age of voting by the time the general election holds in 2027.

    Meanwhile, the INEC meeting in Bayelsa brought together civil society groups, advocacy networks, and community partners committed to enhancing voter sensitization for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which runs from August 2025 to August 2026.

    Utong explained the road show would serve as a direct channel to engage residents across towns and rural communities through drama, music, and interactive outreach.

    He stressed the initiative aims to dismantle misinformation around the CVR, encourage voter status checks, and ensure that every eligible citizen secures their Permanent Voter Card (PVC).

    According to him, the CVR is strictly for citizens who have not registered before, those who have recently turned 18 years, and individuals with lost, defaced, or damaged PVCs.

    He cautioned that multiple registration remains an electoral offence, warning that with the deployment of the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) – which uses both fingerprint and facial recognition – such irregularities will be automatically detected.

    “INEC is committed to credible, inclusive, and transparent elections. Our sensitization efforts are not just about numbers but about ensuring that women, youths, persons with disabilities, and hard-to-reach communities are carried along. Democracy thrives when everyone has a voice,” Utong stated.

    The Women Organized for Mentorship and Advocacy Network (WOMAN), among other partners, pledged support for the campaign.

    They noted the road show provides an opportunity to strengthen participation among marginalized groups and to boost public confidence in the electoral process.

    The voter education activities are expected to intensify throughout the CVR period, with September 11 marking the first phase of mass mobilization.

    INEC Bayelsa has assured residents that its officials will be on ground during the events to provide guidance, resolve voter registration issues, and assist citizens with status verification.

    The Commission urged Bayelsans to take full advantage of the exercise, reminding them that the PVC remains the only valid instrument for exercising their democratic right.

    The post CVR: Over 3.5m Nigerians Registered in Three Weeks appeared first on THISDAYLIVE.

    ​  

    •As INEC Bayelsa set for voter education road show September 11 Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that a
    The post CVR: Over 3.5m Nigerians Registered in Three Weeks appeared first on THISDAYLIVE.

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