President
Muhammadu Buhari has set ambitious targets for a national broadband network to
harness the potential of the internet and digital access for jobs, education,
healthcare, identity management and to increase productivity in the public
sector.
To this end,
the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the Nigeria Industrial Policy
and Competitiveness Advisory Council, chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo,
have jointly launched the National Broadband Penetration Programme, a
public-private initiative to ensure the deployment of 18,000km of fibre
infrastructure to Nigeria’s existing stock of 38,000km of fibre cabling.
The Senior
Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, stated
this at the just-concluded 5th World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, China.
He explained
that the “goal is to, within four years; provide fibre connectivity to all 774
Local Government Areas of Nigeria. Government’s role is to provide the right
licensing framework as well as the necessary subsidies to encourage
investment.”
He revealed
that two additional infrastructure companies have been licensed in 2018, to
roll out broadband infrastructure in Nigeria.
“Together
with previous licensees, and other private sector players, these companies will
help implement the Government’s vision of total national broadband
connectivity,” he said.
The Senior
Special Assistant to the President told the conference that Nigeria’s Social
Investment Programme, including the N-Power Youth Employment Scheme, has
provided 500,000 beneficiaries with electronic tablet devices for learning and
self-development.
“Another
aspect of the N-Power focuses on training young software engineers and coders,”
he said.
The
presidential aide further told the international gathering that the Buhari
administration had begun the development of “Technology & Innovation Hubs”
across the country, in partnership with the private sector, adding that a total
of eight these hubs are planned across the country, with four already
functional.
He also
spoke about partnerships between the Nigerian Government and Facebook, Google,
and Huawei to roll out high-quality Internet across the country, adding that
the recently established Technology Advisory Body chaired by the Vice President
will provide support to tech companies and initiatives.
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