The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has committed to rolling out free Wi-Fi in key areas within her constituency to help promote youth employment and encourage digital innovation.
She revealed this plan in a Facebook post on Monday after visiting Idah Local Government Area in Kogi East, where she joined Peoples Democratic Party leaders in welcoming new members who had defected to the party.
Her pledge comes at a time when digital infrastructure is gaining recognition as a major driver of economic development, especially in communities where affordable internet access is still lacking.
The senator explained that the idea was influenced by one of the defectors, Idris HK, who suggested providing free internet access across parts of Kogi East to benefit content creators and young business owners.
She wrote, “I stood there loving the idea as a necessity to facilitating job creation for our youths. Whilst he spoke, he mentioned installing free Wi-Fi in strategic locations across the Eastern District to support content creators’ internet access.
“So, in the spirit of collaboration and ‘Kogi Central no dey take last’, here’s me pledging to do the same for our beloved Kogi Central.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan noted that the same initiative would be implemented in Kogi Central, highlighting the importance of using digital access as a tool for job creation and innovation among young people. She added that discussions with internet service providers would begin right away, alongside identifying appropriate locations for installation.
“Internet providers shall be contacted, proper locations identified, and installations done soon,” she assured.
She also stressed the need for unity among Kogi State’s three senatorial districts—Central, East, and West—encouraging leaders to focus on shared development rather than competition.
She said, “Here’s to forward-thinking leadership. Cheers to smart collaboration, not unhealthy competition amongst the Central, Eastern, and Western districts of Kogi State. Cheers to our great party, the PDP.”
The planned initiative is expected to create more opportunities for young people in Kogi Central, especially those involved in digital businesses, social media, and content creation, by giving them access to free and reliable internet.
Overall, the move reflects a growing trend among Nigerian leaders to leverage digital connectivity as a means of fostering inclusion, innovation, and youth empowerment.
