FG approves N18.7bn to deepen broadband penetration

By Ibiyemi Mathew

As part of efforts to implement the Nigeria National Broadband Plan (NNBP, 2020 – 2025), the Federal Government has approved N18.7 billion to deepen broadband penetration in the country.

In a press statement made available to Nigerian NewsDirect by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on the 26th October 2022 approved N16.7billion to provide broadband access for 20 markets and 18 schools across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

The Federal Executive Council had also earlier approved on the 8th of December 2021, N1.96 billion to be used to purchase 6,000 e-pad mobile devices for students in tertiary institutions.

Both projects are to be implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and supervised by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami. The projects are expected to be completed within six months, from the date of the award.

Pantami will in Abuja, preside over the commencement of landmark broadband initiatives to be implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC) to accelerate broadband penetration in Nigeria and advance the course of digital economy projections for the nation.

The Minister is also billed to present a book, SKILLS RATHER THAN JUST DEGREES, authored by him, with a foreword written by Brad Smith, President, Microsoft Corporation.