The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), Engr. James Egerton-Idehen, has emphasized that reliable and affordable internet access remains a significant challenge for many Nigerians, particularly those in rural areas.
Speaking at the 20th Herbert Macaulay Memorial Lecture and Symposium organized by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Faculty of Engineering, Engr. Egerton-Idehen highlighted the importance of digital transformation and economic diversification in Nigeria.
“According to a 2023 report by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), only about 40% of the population has access to broadband internet.
“The current administration has set ambitious targets, as part of the National Broadband Plan, the government agencies like GALAXY and NIGCOMSAT are required to boost Nigeria’s broadband penetration rate to 70% by the end of 2025,”
“Work has commenced through programs like ‘Project 774,’ an initiative by the FMoCIDE (Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation and DIgital Economy) in coordination with agencies like Galaxy BackBone, USPF (Universal Service Provision Fund), and NITDA (National Information Technology Development Agency) to provide connectivity to each Local Government Area (LGA) in Nigeria.”
“There are 774 LGAs in Nigeria. This is crucial as lack of access in rural Nigeria limits the ability of individuals and businesses to fully participate in the digital economy.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has clearly enumerated its plans to take advantage of the fourth Industrial revolution,” she noted.
She stressed that infrastructure to deliver digital transformation goes beyond broadband networks of internet connectivity.”
According to her, “Nigeria is known to have over six submarine fibre cables landing its coastal shores yet very few homes connected to fibre, with the massive bandwidths provided by fibre yet to get to the last mile.
“Other infrastructural elements include data centres and cybersecurity systems. Investing in modernising this infrastructure is essential.
“Nigeria is publicly known to have about 11 data centres, while countries with similar nominal GDP like Egypt and South Africa have 14 and 36 respectively. Provision of infrastructure across the nation, beyond the urban and semi-urban areas remains at the foundation of digital transformation.
“Reliable and affordable internet access remains a challenge for many Nigerians, particularly in rural areas.
“According to a 2023 report by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), only about 40% of the population has access to broadband internet.
“The current administration has set ambitious targets to as part of the National Broadband Plan, the government agencies under the FMoCIDE like GALAXY and NIGCOMSAT are required to boost Nigeria’s broadband penetration rate to 70% by the end of 2025.
“Also, as part of the National Broadband Plan, they are expected to provide coverage for at least 80% of the population, especially the underserved and unserved populations, by the end of 2027.
“The goal is to reduce the gap of unconnected Nigerians in rural areas from 61% to less than 20% by 2027. Work has commenced through programs like ‘Project 774,”
Its going to be a job well done if the project go through, most especially in the rural areas
My own be say make them try package this matter so e go dey faster to access
It will very nice if the project scale through
Honestly they should try and do it fast and I hope everything will be done with any issues again sha
That’s good project
What a new development
Just do fast and lets start enjoying it
It will be awesome if the project is successful
Wow this is going to be a good project
This is amazing nice project..wish success in the the project.
To address this they should have
Infrastructure Expansion: Invest in expanding the internet infrastructure, such as laying more fiber-optic cables and improving satellite coverage.
Partnerships: Form partnerships with local and international internet service providers to improve coverage and reduce costs.
Subsidies:Work with the government to provide subsidies or incentives to ISPs to lower the cost of internet access for consumers.
Community Initiatives: Implement community-based internet access projects in underserved areas, leveraging technologies like Wi-Fi hotspots and community networks.
Regulatory Support: Advocate for policies that promote competition and lower the cost of internet access, such as reducing taxes and fees on ISPs.