The Nigerian government has announced a new, five-year National Broadband Plan to cover 2020-2025, Vanguard reported. It aims to boost broadband penetration from 37.8 percent currently to over 70 percent. Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, said that pervasive broadband will make Nigeria a truly digital economy.
A 25-member committee has been inaugurated to spearhead the national plan. They include managing director/CEO of Main One Cable Funke Opeke, who is chairwoman; former NCC executive commissioner for Technical Services Bashir Gwandu; and his successor, Ubale Maska
The secretariat will also be supported by four staff of the Ministry of Communications and Digital economy. The committee is to take a critical look at where the country is at the moment, after a painstaking review of the 2013-2018 plan. The members are enjoined to examine challenges to broadband penetration with a view to proffering solution. They should also look at the position of growing and emerging technologies.
