Investigation of Network Infrastructure Challenges in Rural Telecentres in Sokoto State, North West Nigeria

Rural telecentres funded through universal access initiatives provide communities with internet access, digital services, and ICT training, but their operational sustainability in North West Nigeria is undermined by persistent network infrastructure challenges. This study investigates the network infrastructure challenges facing rural telecentres in Sokoto State. A descriptive case study design was applied to ten telecentres across five rural local government areas. Data were collected through structured interviews with telecentre managers and technical staff (n equals 32), direct hardware inspection, network speed measurement using Speedtest, and review of maintenance records. Variables assessed included internet connection type, average upload and download speeds, frequency and duration of downtime events, power supply reliability, hardware age and condition, and maintenance support availability. Descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic analysis were applied. Literature from North West Nigerian telecentre operations identifies solar power unreliability, insufficient technical support from service providers, and vandalism of external transmission equipment as the primary infrastructure vulnerabilities. The Telecentre Sustainability Framework and the Universal Access Policy Theory provide the analytical reference. Findings confirm that 70 percent of assessed telecentres operate below minimum functional performance standards, with average downtime of 18 hours per week. Recommendations include dedicated telecentre infrastructure maintenance contracts, community ownership models for hardware security, and satellite internet as a backup connectivity option for critical rural locations. Keywords: telecentre, network infrastructure, rural connectivity, Sokoto State, North West Nigeria.