The Federal Government has introduced the National Broadband Alliance (NBAN) as part of its strategy to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation and promote broadband accessibility across the nation.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, highlighted the critical role of robust connectivity infrastructure in fostering economic growth and national prosperity. “As we focus on accelerating our collective prosperity as a nation, improving connectivity infrastructure remains a vital priority for the government,” the minister stated in a release on Friday. Currently, Nigeria’s broadband penetration stands at 43.53%, with significant gaps in fibre network coverage.
The newly unveiled National Broadband Plan aims to achieve 70% internet penetration by 2025, addressing these disparities and bridging the digital divide. The NBAN seeks to foster collaboration among key players in the broadband sector, including government agencies, private sector entities, and civil society organizations. Minister Tijani expressed optimism about the alliance’s potential to boost broadband quality and accessibility, ultimately increasing demand and positioning Nigeria as a leader in the global digital economy.
The minister described the initiative as a significant milestone toward achieving the government’s vision of a digitally empowered Nigeria, noting that it would enhance economic development and competitiveness. As part of this broader digital infrastructure push, efforts are underway to expand Nigeria’s fibre-optic network by an additional 90,000 kilometers under the Fibre Forward Strategic Development project. This $2 billion initiative aims to increase the country’s fibre capacity from 35,000 km to 125,000 km, establishing Nigeria as the third-largest terrestrial fibre-optic network in Africa.
