On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, the spotlight will turn to Lagos as the first Rural Connectivity Summit (RuralConnect Summit) takes place at the Radisson Blu Hotel.
Organised by Business Metrics Limited, the summit carries the theme “Rethinking Digital Connectivity to Unlock Rural Economic Potential” and will convene a cross-section of stakeholders—telecom operators, regulators, policymakers, tech companies, financial institutions, donor agencies, civil society groups, and grassroots representatives.
At the heart of discussions are the urgent challenges and opportunities in extending digital access to Nigeria’s rural majority, focusing on themes such as:
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Innovative infrastructure rollout
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Policy reforms and financing models
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Digital literacy and capacity building
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Cross-sector collaborations
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Use cases in agriculture, healthcare, and education
Convener Omobayo Azeez described the summit as the start of a seven-year initiative aimed at dismantling Nigeria’s entrenched digital divide. While urban centres like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt enjoy advanced internet access, more than 70% of rural Nigerians remain excluded, with over 20 million citizens lacking any form of connectivity.
“Digital transformation cannot be declared successful if millions of rural dwellers remain cut off. This is more than a conference—it is a movement to bridge the divide, unlock opportunities, and make connectivity a driver of national growth,” Azeez said.
The initiative builds on Business Metrics Limited’s track record of convening high-level policy dialogues, including Nigeria’s first 5G readiness forum in 2022, advocacy for a Dig-Once fibre policy, and summits on indigenous content and critical infrastructure protection.
By launching RuralConnect, the organisers hope to establish a legacy platform for action, where government, private sector, and development partners collaborate to democratise access to digital technologies.
The October summit is expected to set measurable benchmarks for progress and chart a roadmap that ensures no Nigerian community is left behind in the nation’s digital future.
