The lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has pledged to install free Wi-Fi across strategic locations in her constituency as part of efforts to promote youth employment, digital innovation and economic inclusion.
Akpoti-Uduaghan announced the initiative in a Facebook post on Monday after visiting Idah Local Government Area in Kogi East, where she joined leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to receive new defectors into the party.
According to her, the idea was inspired by a suggestion from a new entrant into the party, Idris HK, who proposed the deployment of free internet services across parts of Kogi East to support content creators and young entrepreneurs.
“I stood there loving the idea as a necessity to facilitating job creation for our youths,” she wrote. “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.”
The senator said the initiative would be extended to Kogi Central, stressing that access to reliable internet has become essential for innovation, particularly among young people engaged in digital entrepreneurship, content creation and online services.
She added that discussions would begin with internet service providers, while site identification and installation plans would commence immediately.
“Internet providers shall be contacted, proper locations identified, and installations done soon,” she assured.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also used the opportunity to call for greater collaboration among Kogi State’s three senatorial districts Central, East and West urging political leaders to focus on shared development goals rather than rivalry.
“Here’s to forward-thinking leadership. Cheers to smart collaboration, not unhealthy competition amongst the Central, Eastern, and Western districts of Kogi State,” she said.
The planned Wi-Fi rollout is expected to support young people in underserved communities by reducing the cost barrier to internet access and expanding opportunities in the digital economy.
The initiative reflects a growing trend among Nigerian policymakers to prioritise digital infrastructure as a tool for job creation, innovation and broader economic participation.