RuralNigeria Gets a Digital Boost: First Rural Connectivity Summit to Tackle 20 Million Unconnected Citizens
Business Metrics Limited has announced the launch of the Rural Connectivity Summit (RuralConnect Summit), a groundbreaking seven-year initiative dedicated to addressing Nigeria’s ongoing digital divide and harnessing the economic potential of rural areas.
The inaugural summit is slated for Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at the Radisson Blu Hotel on Isaac John Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos. The event will be held under the theme: *“Rethinking Digital Connectivity to Unlock Rural Economic Potentials.”*
The RuralConnect Summit aims to confront the stark disparity where, despite advanced internet infrastructure in cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, over 70% of Nigeria’s rural population remains digitally disconnected.
Current estimates indicate that more than 20 million Nigerians lack access to modern connectivity—an alarmingly large figure surpassing the population of many African nations.
Organizers emphasize that this digital divide represents not only a significant access gap but also an untapped opportunity for innovation, market expansion, and inclusive development.
Throughout the day, the summit will bring together telecom operators, government officials, policymakers, tech companies, financial institutions, donor agencies, civil society, community leaders, and grassroots representatives. Their collective goal is to identify actionable strategies for expanding digital access and reducing the divide in rural Nigeria.
Key discussion pillars include innovative infrastructure deployment, policy reforms, novel financing models, digital literacy initiatives, collaborations, agricultural technology integration, and expanding access to healthcare and education.
Omobayo Azeez, Convener and Partnership Coordinator for the RuralConnect Summit, stated: “Digital transformation cannot be deemed successful if millions of Nigerians in rural areas remain disconnected. This summit is more than a conference—it’s a movement to bridge the gap, create opportunities, and turn connectivity into a driver of national growth. We’ve established a seven-year agenda to deliver practical solutions until no community is left behind.”
Azeez added that the initiative builds on Business Metrics Limited’s proven history of shaping national dialogue around Nigeria’s digital economy, including the 2022 national forum on 5G readiness, advocacy for fibre deployment policies, summits on indigenous content development, and critical infrastructure protection.
With the RuralConnect Summit, Business Metrics Limited aims to establish a lasting platform where government, private sector, and development partners collaborate to democratize access to digital technologies and uplift rural communities across Nigeria.
The October event will kick off this multi-stakeholder journey and set measurable benchmarks for progress, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable digital transformation.