Agenda

Event programme

A full day of goodwill addresses, keynote presentations and two panel sessions, bringing government, operators, infrastructure providers and investors into one room.

Tuesday, 13 October 2026Providence Hotel, Ikeja · LagosRuralConnect 2.0
9:00 – 9:30 AM

Arrival & Registration

9:30 – 9:33 AM

Opening / National Anthem

9:33 – 9:48 AM

Introduction of Guests by Olamide Faleke, MC

9:48 – 9:55 AM

Welcome Address

Omobayo Azeez
Omobayo AzeezConvener
9:55 – 10:15 AM

Goodwill & Industry Insights

Tony Emoekpere
Tony EmoekperePresident, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON)
Engr. Gbenga Adebayo
Engr. Gbenga AdebayoNational Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON)
Dr. Aminu Maida
Dr. Aminu MaidaExecutive Vice Chairman / CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)

Presentations

10:15 – 10:35 AM
Keynote 1

Powering the Last Mile: Rural Electrification as a Catalyst for Digital Inclusion

Engr Umar A. Umar
Engr Umar A. UmarExecutive Director, Technical Services Directorate, Rural Electrification Agency
10:35 – 10:50 AM
Keynote 2

The Reality of Rural Connectivity: Pursuing Sustainable Deployment amid Multiple Challenges

Dr. Tola Yusuf
Dr. Tola YusufCo-Founder, Infratel Africa
10:50 – 11:05 AM

Pathways Through the Challenges of Sustainably Connecting the Unserved and Underserved

Shamsuddin Ahmed
Shamsuddin AhmedAssociate Director (Technical Sales & Solutions Architecture), GICL
11:05 – 11:20 AM

The Imperative of Strengthening Backbone Infrastructure and Government Collaboration for Inclusive Rural Connectivity

Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju
Professor Ibrahim AdeyanjuMD / CEO, Galaxy Backbone Limited
11:20 AM – 12:10 PM

1st Panel Session

From Infrastructure to Access: Building the Fibre, Towers and Technology Ecosystem for Rural Connectivity.

Opening presentation

Chidi Ajuzie
Chidi AjuzieGroup COO, WTES Projects Limited

Panelists

Dr. Olusola Teniola
Dr. Olusola TeniolaDirector, Strategic Business Initiatives, ipNX Nigeria
Tinuade Oguntuyi
Tinuade OguntuyiGeneral Manager (Technical), ICSL
Obinna Adumike
Obinna AdumikeHead of Converged Digital Infrastructure for Africa, OADC
Tony Emoekpere
Tony EmoekperePresident, ATCON
Philippe Baudrier
Philippe BaudrierVP Connectivity, Africa, Eutelsat
Rotimi Akinnuoye
Rotimi AkinnuoyeSenior Specialist, Network Operations, GICL

Moderator

Chidi Ajuzie
Chidi AjuzieGroup COO, WTES Projects Limited

Closing presentation

Philippe Baudrier
Philippe BaudrierVP Connectivity, Africa, Eutelsat

Photos

12:10 – 12:40 PM

Tea Break & Networking

Presentations (Satellite for Rural Connectivity)

12:40 – 12:55 PM

The Untapped Potential of Satellite Technology for Inclusive Digital Growth

Engr. Jane Egerton-Idehen
Engr. Jane Egerton-IdehenMD / CEO, Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigComSat)
12:55 – 1:05 PM

The Low Earth Orbit Satellite Solution for Rural Telephony

Jonas Enebeli
Jonas EnebeliHead - Enterprise Connectivity, Fieldbase Services Limited
1:05 – 1:45 PM

2nd Panel Session

Building the Coalition to Connect the Unconnected: Redefining Roles, Setting Targets and Driving Accountability.

Panelists

Engr. Gbenga Adebayo
Engr. Gbenga AdebayoNational Chairman, ALTON
Engr. Morenikeji Aniye
Engr. Morenikeji AniyeFounder / CEO, Hotspot Network Limited
Soji Maurice-Diya
Soji Maurice-DiyaCEO, NatCom Development & Investment Limited (ntel)
John Nwachukwu
John NwachukwuChief Strategy & Executive Officer (CSEO), Zora Communications Limited

Moderator

Ugochi Emmanuel
Ugochi EmmanuelFounder, TechLife

Photos

1:45 – 2:00 PM

Comments / Q&A

2:00 – 2:05 PM

Closing Remarks

The next 25 million are waiting to be connected.

Government cannot do it alone. Industry cannot do it alone. Investors cannot do it alone. It will take a coalition.

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