FG begins final implementation of N41.6bn broadband connectivity projects for tertiary institutions, airports, markets

The Federal Government has commenced the implementation of phases two and three of the N41.6 billion Nigerian Communications Commission’s Broadband Connectivity Intervention in critical sectors of the nation’s economy with the flag-off of Broadband Connectivity for Tertiary Institutions, Airports, and Markets across the country.

The phases 2 and 3 broadband connectivity would provide services to 49 higher institutions of learning, 20 airports and six markets. Speaking at the letters distribution to beneficiary institutions yesterday in Abuja, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami, said the first phase of the intervention had been implemented to 80 per cent after the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) approval on March 29, 2023. Pantami explained that the funds for the interventions were Internally Generated Revenue, IGR of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The minister added that the total number of interventions across the Country on broadband connectivity is 113.He said: “The first phase has been implemented on average 80 per cent; in some institutions, the implementation level is up to 90 per cent within that range. Because of this, I feel it is the right time to commence Phases 2 and phase 3.

“On Wednesday, 29th March 2023, I was at the Federal Executive Council where I presented a memorandum for this event we gathered here. The two memos covered 49 higher learning institutions, 20 airports and six markets. So by implication, each memo represents a phase. So we are here for phase 2 and phase 3. The total amount we have committed to this is approximately N41.6 billion. The second and third phases are here; we have to provision 20 airports, six additional markets, and 49 institutions of learning. We have prioritized polytechnics in this phase; we will prioritize colleges of education in the next phase.

“All in all, we can safely say we have 113 interventions from this number. Nineteen universities in the first one, one college of education, 20 markets, 49 additional institutions of learning, six additional markets and 20 airports, you can simply say we have 113 interventions so far from the 41.6 billion Naira to be spent as part of our donation to other sectors from our internally generated revenue through the telecommunication sub-sectors”, he added.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof Abubakar Rasheed, said the initiative will strengthen Nigeria’s transition to a real knowledge economy.

He said, “Any country that ignores the digital revolution has passed a death sentence on itself. He commended the Minister for defining what a true knowledge society is by making free broadband internet available to tertiary institutions in the country”.

Rasheed, who assured that the universities will make maximum utilization of the intervention, stated that if markets and institutions were connected to broadband, it would have laid a foundation for the cashless economy.

On his part, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority (FAAN), Capt Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu, said the airports are social and economic enablers of any modern society. He said, “It is one of the very crucial new innovations. Aviation is a 100 per cent safe business. About 100,000 people fly across the world every day.”

Yadudu noted that FAAN has been having a lot of challenges with broadband providers at the airports adding that the intervention is very timely for the industry.

The Chairman Board of NCC, Prof Adeolu Akande, said the interventions were designed to diversify the Nigerian economy as envisioned by President Muhammadu Buhari.