In the first quarter of 2024, Nigeria plans to initiate a program aimed at enhancing broadband development and adoption in Edo, Ogun, Kwara, Katsina, Imo, Abia, Borno, and Nasarawa.
The National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria, an initiative by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, aims to address the challenge of limited fibre network rollout in the country.
Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani’s office revealed this in a white paper titled ‘Broadband Access for All: Introducing Deepening Nigeria’s National Backbone and Middle Mile Infrastructure.’
The document highlighted the increasing difficulties individuals and communities face in today’s interconnected world without reliable and affordable Internet access. The resulting barriers, stemming from this limited access, span economic and knowledge exchange challenges.
The document emphasized that countries experience remarkable gains in speed, reliability, and future scalability by constructing modern broadband infrastructures. Referring to the 2019 Broadband Plan, it outlined that the country requires a minimum of 120,000km of fibre optic cables to fulfill its coverage objectives.
Despite these goals, laying optic cables faces numerous challenges, as mentioned in the document. To address these issues, it introduced the National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria as a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders. The initiative aims to lead a coordinated endeavor to attain universal broadband access throughout the nation.
Announcing the initiative, the paper read, “To tackle the low and non-consumption challenge and its resultant poor ROI in nationwide fibre network, the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital economy has initiated a National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria to foster collaboration for broadband development and adoption, as well as position Nigeria at the forefront of the global digital landscape.”
It continued, “Recognising the imperativeness of broadband in economic development, the alliance will bring together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, as well as civil society, to collaboratively develop sustainable business model(s) for driving the adoption and consumption of Internet in key critical public institutions (schools, hospitals, government offices, libraries and markets etc.) across the nation.”
The Ministry of Communications’ office highlighted that the alliance will function as a forum where government agencies, telecommunications firms, technology providers, and civil society organizations can collaborate, coordinating efforts and pooling resources for the widespread enhancement of broadband services across the country.
It further specified that the National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria (NBAN) would collaborate closely with regulatory bodies to streamline processes and eliminate obstacles that impede the rapid deployment of broadband networks in the nation.
It said, “It will also drive digital inclusion and awareness to ensure the inclusion of all segments of society in the digital economy and benefit from the advantages of broadband connectivity.”
Commenting on rollout plan, it added, “The pilot of this initiative will kick off in 7 states of the country before the end of Q1 2024. The initial states are Edo, Ogun, Kwara, Katsina, Imo, Abia, Borno and Nasarawa. These initial states have been considered using their present broadband investment and management of fibre optic challenges in their respective states such as such as waiver of the Right of Way fee.”
In a tweet revealing the whitepaper on X titled, ‘Broadband Access for All,’ Tijani said, “A constant conversation in my time as Minister has been around the quality of internet services, so as I head out to @wef next week, I will be focusing on securing partnerships for 2 key initiatives to bridge the internet quality and access gap in Nigeria.
“To expand further on the first step towards this, I am sharing a whitepaper (Link here – b.link/BAFA-1) that outlines our plan to build an alliance which plugs the non-consumption gap so we can guarantee affordable access for all, including rural and underserved parts of Nigeria.”
He emphasized that the ministry is actively enhancing the digital economy, emphasizing connectivity. This initiative aligns with the infrastructure pillar of the ministry’s strategic blueprint.
According to the government’s definition, broadband denotes high-speed internet connectivity. As of the conclusion of August 2023, broadband penetration stood at 45.57%, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission. Nigeria aims to achieve a 50% penetration rate by the end of 2023 (data for this target is pending release).
He pointed out that the ministry is focused on fortifying the digital economy with an emphasis on connectivity, aligning with the infrastructure component of its strategic blueprint.
As defined by the government, broadband signifies a high-speed internet connection. As of August 2023, the broadband penetration reached 45.57%, as reported by the Nigerian Communications Commission. Nigeria aims to achieve a 50% penetration rate by the end of 2023, although specific data related to this target is pending release.
Recently, the President of the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, told newsmen, “Increasing penetration is good news, it will reduce poverty and will level us up, digitally, with our counterparts in the world. Internet penetration will increase jobs, as well as ensure that our people are getting more and more empowered.”