The first study to identify clusters of voice telephony and transport network gap in the country was carried out by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) in 2013 with an estimated population of about 36.8 million people and 207 clusters.
In another update study carried out 2019, the number of people living in the unserved and underserved areas was estimated to have dropped to 31.16 million and number of clusters reviewed down to 114. Based on the outcome of the new study in 2022, the number of clusters has further dropped from 114 to 97 clusters with an estimated population of 27.91 million.
The clusters are grouped according to five population density ranges and are represented in different colours, while areas with network signal are represented in white colour as presented below:
-
Legend
Population Range
No of Clusters
50,000 - 150,000
22
150,001 - 250,000
19
250,001 - 350,000
28
350,001 - 500,000
20
500,001 - 950,000
8
Areas with Coverage
N/A
Each cluster has been defined and their attributes (such as major towns, occupation, institutions, and vegetation type amongst others) identified. A visual presentation of the clusters is accessible in basic and interactive form.
The access gap map is assisting the USPF in designing projects and strategies to cover these gaps and ensure that everyone irrespective of locality is connected in the 21st century Nigeria.