The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as part of efforts to accelerate economic growth through technology and communications.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu pledged on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the Governing Board of the NCC, led by its Chairman, Chief Idris Olorunnimbe, at Lagos House, Marina.
Sanwo-Olu said Lagos remains open to investment and will go beyond expectations to encourage growth in technology, communications and other key sectors of the economy.
“We are not a government that is averse to investment,” the governor said. “Technology and communication represent the next major growth paths, and we want to be fully part of that journey. We can use technology as a strong enabler to fast-track development and economic catch-up.”
Describing the NCC as one of Nigeria’s most forward-looking federal agencies, Sanwo-Olu commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing credible leaders to steer the commission, noting that the communications sector is a major driver of national economic expansion.
“This is a strong service industry that can significantly deepen Nigeria’s GDP,” he said. “Lagos is ready to serve as a test ground and demonstration hub for policies and innovations that can be scaled across the country. Development must be fair, purposeful and far-reaching.”
The governor assured the NCC of sustained collaboration, stressing that Lagos would continue to create an enabling environment for infrastructure deployment and digital investment.
Earlier, Chief Idris Olorunnimbe, NCC Board Chairman, described Sanwo-Olu as a mentor and acknowledged the governor’s role in his early public service experience at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund.
Olorunnimbe said Lagos was the first state the newly inaugurated NCC board chose to visit, citing its strategic importance to the commission’s operations.
“Lagos must work,” he said. “There are still unserved and underserved communities in the state, many of which operators avoid due to commercial viability concerns.”
He appealed to the Lagos State Government to consider granting free right of way in some of these areas as an incentive to attract telecom operators and expand connectivity.
“We will work closely with the Commissioner and the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA) to design and implement this as a pilot, which can then be replicated in other states,” Olorunnimbe added.
