The National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria (NBAN), launched on Tuesday, aims to close the internet gap for Nigeria’s 27.91 million living in underserved and unserved areas. According to the Universal Service Provision Fund, 27.91 million Nigerians are living in areas underserved and unserved by telecom service.
NBAN is a policy initiative that aims to expand internet access to these areas, particularly key areas in these communities like schools, healthcare facilities, religious centres, and markets.
It aligns with the National Broadband Plan (2020–2025) and the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy’s strategic blueprint that aims to achieve broadband penetration of 70 percent by 2025, with minimum data speeds of 25 Mbps in urban areas and 10 Mbps in rural areas, expanding population coverage to 80 percent by 2027, and increasing broadband investments by 300–500 percent by 2027.
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The initiative aims to achieve its goal through collaboration between public institutions such as schools, hospitals, and government offices, telecom operators and infrastructure providers, technology companies, civil society organizations, and international partners.
“The NBAN is more than just a policy initiative. It is a commitment to a future where every Nigerian has access to the tools and opportunities needed to succeed in a connected world,” said Bosun Tijani, minister of communications.
The initiative will start off in Edo, Ogun, Kwara, Katsina, Imo, Abia, Borno, and Nasarawa states because they have addressed challenges like right-of-way fees and created an enabling environment for broadband expansion.
Broadband refers to high-speed internet connection, and broadband penetration is measured by the number of broadband subscribers per 100 inhabitants. Expanding broadband access has been linked to increased jobs and reduced poverty.
“In today’s digital era, broadband connectivity is not just a necessity; it is the backbone of economic growth, innovation, and inclusion,” stated Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The government is ramping up efforts to hit its 70 percent broadband target for 2025, with broadband penetration at 44.43 percent as of 2024’s end. In February 2024, it unveiled plans to provide internet and digital access to all the 774 local government secretariats in the country. One year later, implementation has only reached over 50 local government secretariats across nine states.
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Tijani says achieving broadband’s transformative goals requires more than just policy. “It requires collaboration. The NBAN is founded on the principle that no single entity can achieve universal broadband access alone,” he added.
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