The Federal Government has launched the National Broadband Alliance (NBAN), a new initiative designed to enhance the country’s digital infrastructure and improve internet access nationwide.
Unveiled on Tuesday in Lagos by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, and represented by Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the initiative aims to significantly increase broadband penetration across Nigeria.
Tijani highlighted that NBAN would play a crucial role in advancing broadband access, noting that the nation’s broadband coverage has increased from just 6 percent in 2015 to nearly 42 percent by October 2024.
To facilitate this growth, the government is utilizing a Special Purpose Vehicle to deploy 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables nationwide, ensuring that underserved and rural communities gain access to high-speed internet.
He explained that the initiative is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on innovation, technology, and collaboration as pillars for national growth and prosperity.
Tijani stressed that expanding broadband access would not only enhance internet connectivity but also empower Nigerians, particularly in rural areas. “While the progress made in broadband penetration is commendable, we recognise that much more needs to be done to ensure every Nigerian can enjoy the benefits of reliable, high-speed internet,” he stated.
The minister also underscored the importance of strategic partnerships with donors, investors, and other stakeholders to achieve the objectives set forth in the National Broadband Plan (2020-2025). These collaborations, he noted, are key to overcoming infrastructure challenges and making broadband both affordable and accessible to all Nigerians.
“These targets reflect our unwavering commitment to ensuring that broadband is accessible, affordable, and inclusive for all Nigerians. However, we are also aware of the challenges ahead,” Tijani remarked.
He added that achieving the government’s ambitious targets—70 percent broadband penetration by 2025, internet speeds of at least 25 Mbps in urban areas, and broadband access for 80 percent of the population by 2027—would require sustained efforts. “Achieving these goals will require more than just the efforts of the private sector. It will require a holistic approach that includes strategic partnerships with donors, investors, and other key stakeholders in accelerating the rollout of critical infrastructure,” he concluded.
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