The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has received approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to provide free broadband networks to 20 airports across the country and 43 higher institutions, as well as six SME hubs.
This development was disclosed by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa in Abuja on March 29.
The move is aimed at promoting digital inclusion and facilitating the transition to a digital economy in Nigeria.
According to the minister, the NCC will provide internet facilities at designated airports and institutions. He stated that a contract has been awarded for the provision of broadband in selected airports, with 20 of them set to be covered in the first phase of the project. Passengers at these airports will have free access to high-speed internet, and a sustainability model has been created for efficient facility upkeep.
The airports that have been designated for the installation of broadband equipment are spread across the country’s six geopolitical zones with each zones set to have three airports benefitting from the project. In the South-West, two airports in Lagos State and one in Ondo State will benefit. The South-East will have airports in Imo, Anambra, and Enugu States. Rivers and Akwa-Ibom States will benefit from the South-South. The North-Central will have the Federal Capital Territory and Kwara State. Kano, Sokoto, and Kebbi States will benefit from the North-West, while Borno, Adamawa, and Gombe States will benefit from the North-East Region.
The higher institutions that will benefit from the free broadband infrastructure will comprise both universities and polytechnics. The total cost for both memos is N24.20 billion, N18.95 billion allocated to the Universities and Airports project, while N5.25 billion for selected SMEs. The project is set to be implemented by the NCC.
The broadband infrastructure is expected to enhance e-learning in schools and support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in selected markets by easing mobile transactions.
The NCC had earlier received approval from the FEC in 2022 to provide unrestricted internet in 17 universities and one college of education. The provision of the free broadband infrastructure has now expanded to federal universities and polytechnics in the country.
In addition to the approval of the broadband infrastructure project, the FEC approved N41.4 billion for the construction of a Centre of Excellence for environmental restoration in the Kana Local Government Area of Rivers State. The centre is expected to facilitate an efficient and cost-effective approach to contamination management and environmental restoration and provide training on environmental remediation.
Overall, the FEC’s approval of the broadband infrastructure project and the Centre of Excellence for environmental restoration is expected to facilitate the transition to a digital economy and promote sustainable environmental practices in Nigeria.
