LAGOS (Sundiata Post) – The Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (FMCIDE) on Tuesday, called for collaboration to strengthen the National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria (NBAN) and enhance broadband penetration and accessibility nationwide.
The Minister of FMCIDE, Mr Bosun Tijani, made the call at the launch of NBAN on Tuesday in Lagos.
Tijani, who was represented by the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, said such collaboration would reshape the future of Nigeria and accelerate collective prosperity.
The minister’s key note address was entittled: “The Broadband Alliance: Accelerating Our Collective Prosperity Through Connectivity.”
According to him, NBAN is not just an initiative but a transformative journey that will pave the way for a digitally connected Nigeria.
He said, “this journey aligns seamlessly with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President, which emphasises on innovation, technology, and collaboration, being essential pillars for driving prosperity for all Nigerians.
‘’As we take stock of our progress in broadband development, we can be proud of the strides we have made.
‘’From a modest six per cent broadband penetration in 2015, we have grown to approximately 42 per cent as of October 2024, as reported by the NCC.
‘’While this progress is commendable, we recognise that there is much more to be done to ensure that every Nigerian can enjoy the benefits of reliable, and high-speed internet.
“The alliance is expected to prioritise areas with limited broadband coverage, addressing the digital divide and promoting digital inclusion,’’ he said.
According to him, in spite of the growing availability of fibre networks, the country faces an unfortunate paradox: many of these networks remain under-utilised.
Tijani said that in numerous parts of the country, the capacity of existing fibre infrastructure far exceeded the demand.
The minister attributed this primarily to a lack of access to necessary infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas, compounded by significant barriers to broadband adoption.
He said that these barriers included limited access to devices, lack of awareness, inadequate digital literacy, cumbersome regulatory processes, and power supply challenges.
According to him, this under-utilisation of existing infrastructure hinders our digital transformation and also negatively impacts the return on investment.
“This creates a vicious cycle, one that must be broken in order to realise the full potential of broadband and its contribution to our digital economy,” he said.
The minister said that the introduction of NBAN was in response to this challenge.
Tijani said that NBAN was founded on the principle that no single entity could achieve universal broadband access alone.
He, however, commended the pilot states Edo, Ogun, Kwara, Katsina, Imo, Abia, Borno and Nasarawa for their leadership in addressing challenges like right-of-way fees and for creating an enabling environment for broadband expansion.
Also speaking at the launch, Yunusa Ya’u Executive Director of the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), said that about 30 million Nigerians were living in digitally unconnected communities.
Ya’u said that these Nigerians were in dire need of inclusion in the country’s digital transformation journey for digital equity.
While lamenting the digital divide, he emphasised that connectivity remained a right that should be guaranteed for all Nigerians, particularly those in underserved and unserved communities.
The executive director noted that the current reliance on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for broadband expansion had limitations, as investments were often driven by returns, leaving marginalised communities behind.
Ya”u advocated for alternative solutions, such as community-centered connectivity initiatives, which empowered communities to own and mobilise resources to address their connectivity gaps.
He said that his organisation had implemented over 14 pilot community projects across Nigeria, providing community services and promoting digital inclusion.
Ya’u called on NCC to provide regulatory support and policy tweaks to enable the scaling up of community-centered connectivity initiatives.
He also emphasised the need to revisit the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) Act to enable it fulfil its primary responsibility of bridging the digital divide.
He further commended the launch of the NBAN but urged stakeholders to be innovative and creative in developing policies and regulations that promoted digital equity and inclusion.
The Team Lead, Mr Wole Ogunmusire, State Action for Business Development Reforms (SABER) said it had made significant progress in improving Nigeria’s regulatory framework for private investments in fibre optic infrastructure.
Ogunmisire said that 20 out of the 26 supported states had made significant progress in reviewing regulations, making disclosures, and improving the regulatory framework.
He said the programme had achieved significant milestones, including the aggregation and capping of monthly fees at 145 Naira, publication of step-by-step guidelines for right-of-way permits, and review of regulations.
According to him, Saber programme also expects states to maintain the achievements of the first year, make necessary disclosures, and publish approvals on state websites.
The team lead commended the states for their efforts and called for continued collaboration and investment in Nigeria’s digital transformation.
‘’The launch of the National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria (NBAN) presents an opportunity for further collaboration and investment in Nigeria’s digital transformation, ’’ he said.
reports that the SABER programme is a critical component of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve the business environment and attract private investments in Nigeria.
reports that the NBAN is a flagship initiative of the Federal Government’s digital economy strategy, aimed at transforming Nigeria into a leading digital economy hub. (NAN)