Senator Ali Ndume has unveiled a project to boost digital connectivity in Borno South by providing 5,000 free SIM cards and 1,000 Point of Sale (POS) machines to local residents, aimed towards reconnecting communities with financial and communication services.
The announcement came during a meeting with MTN Nigeria’s management in Maiduguri, to rebuild digital infrastructure in a region long disrupted by Boko Haram insurgency.
For years, frequent attacks on telecom masts left many communities disconnected and struggling to reclaim lost communication tools. Senator Ndume, who in 2024 successfully trained 800 youths in POS operations and equipped them with starter packs worth 100,000 naira each, is expanding the program to reach more people affected by displacement.
Registration for free SIM cards has already commenced, focusing on those who lost access during the crisis.
The goal is to help Borno South residents regain their place in the digital world. Connectivity is not just about phones; it’s about empowerment and economic inclusion – Ndume
MTN Nigeria has confirmed network restorations in Gwoza, Damboa, Uba, and Chibok, pledging to improve the reliability of its services needed by residents.
The company also endorsed plans to establish computer-based test centers, facilitating local access to educational exams without long-distance travel.
