FG sets up committee for new National Broadband Plan 2020-2025

• As broadband penetration hits 37 per cent
The Federal Government has inaugurated a
committee to develop a new National
Broadband Plan 2020 - 2025 , to help reposition
the country for a digital economy .
This followed the expiration of the previous
National Broadband Plan in 2018 .
The committee is co - chaired by the Chief
Executive Officer, MainOne , Funke Opeke, and
the former Executive Commissioner in the
Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC ),
Bashir Gwandu.
This comes as Nigeria is said to have 37 per
cent broadband penetration.
Speaking at the inauguration , yesterday ,
in Abuja , Minister of Communications and
Digital Economy , Isa Pantami , admitted that
Nigeria has a problem of broadband
penetration .
He noted that the digital economy currently
valued at $11 . 5 trillion is strategically
dominating the world ’ s financial system , and
makeup approximately 16 per cent of the
global economy , according to Oxford economy .
Quoting the World Economic Forum, the
minister observed that by 2022 , about 60 per
cent of the world economy would be
digitalised , while by 2030 ; almost 85 per cent
would be at digital .
He recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari
last month launched a digital economy policy
for Nigeria , which has eight pillars, including
developmental regulation , digital literacy and
skills, solid infrastructure , service
infrastructure , digital services development and
promotion , soft infrastructure , digital society
and emerging technologies, and indigenous
content .
He said : “ This committee that converges here is
going to deliberate on one pillar that is very
strategic among the eight, and at the same
time , the success of the remaining seven
depends on the success of this one . Solid
infrastructure accommodates broadband and
data centre , this is key because all other pillars
rely on this very important one , and I think the
work of the committee is going to address
significantly one of the most important pillars.
This will go a long way in supporting the
National Digital Economy policy and strategy
for the government of Nigeria. All the states
and local government also have a role to play
to make it very successful , ” he added .
Also speaking , Executive Vice Chairman of NCC ,
Prof Umar Danbatta , observed that the
International telecommunication Union
( ITU ), recognised that in the 21 st Century,
broadband infrastructure is basic , and will
ensure that people around the world have
access to equitable and affordable broadband
wherever they are and whatever the
circumstances they are in .
Danbatta noted that broadband has the ability
to deliver healthcare , best quality education
even to generations unborn , the ability to
streamline transportation , meet up with social
development goals ( SDGs ) , and the ability to
transform the economy into a digital one .

In her response , the Chairperson of the
Committee , Opeke, said the target is to achieve
at least 65 - 70 per cent broadband penetration
across Nigeria by 2025 . She said broadband is
critical , and Nigeria cannot be left behind,
while Nigerians in the rural areas should be at
the centre of the new broadband plan , which
will help create jobs.
She said , “ The honourable minister has set the
goal , and I believe the NCC is in agreement . It
is for us to look at what was done during the
period of the last committee , look at what the
issues and challenges are that still exist, and
come up with a plan that allows us to achieve
the set objectives . I believe the objective is
achievable with sincerity of purpose and with
hard work for these are critical services and
infrastructure that we need to bring to all
Nigerians and we’ re optimistic that we can
accomplish that goal. ”
Opeke noted that a lot of work needs to be
done on fixed infrastructure , adding that the
reality is that mobile technologies are also
progressing quite fast to deliver very capable
services to people .