Nigeria aims for 70% broadband reach by 2025

By Felicia Nwosu

Nigeria has unveiled a bold national strategy to bridge its digital divide and propel widespread internet access across the nation. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) officially launched the National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria (NBAN), a policy initiative designed to accelerate broadband adoption and connect key sectors like schools, healthcare facilities, religious centers, and marketplaces.

Stating that NBAN is strategically aligned with Nigeria’s National Broadband Plan (2020-2025) and the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy’s Strategic Blueprint, it maintained that the  initiative sets ambitious targets: raising broadband penetration from its current 44% to 70% by 2025, delivering minimum data speeds of 25 Mbps in urban centers and 10 Mbps in rural areas, and attracting a 300–500% surge in broadband investments by 2027.

Central to NBAN’s approach is collaboration. The initiative fosters partnerships between state governments, educational institutions, hospitals, telecom operators, and infrastructure providers to drive nationwide broadband expansion. A pilot program will initially focus on eight states: Edo, Ogun, Kwara, Katsina, Imo, Abia, Borno, and Nasarawa.

Aminu Maida, NCC’s executive vice chairman, at the NBAN launch event in Lagos,  stated that, reaching these objectives demands more than just private sector involvement,adding that there is the  need for  a comprehensive strategy that includes strategic alliances with donors, investors, and other key players to accelerate the deployment of essential infrastructure.

This launch comes amidst other significant developments in Nigeria’s telecom sector. The NCC recently approved a 50% tariff adjustment for telecom operators, contingent on demonstrable service quality improvements within three months of implementation. While these revised tariffs are not yet in effect, operators are preparing to meet the NCC’s enhanced service requirements.

Furthermore, the NCC has reportedly given the green light to a roaming and spectrum-sharing agreement between MTN Nigeria and 9mobile. This agreement will allow 9mobile, Nigeria’s fourth-largest operator, to leverage MTN’s extensive infrastructure to enhance its network coverage.

This will enable 9mobile subscribers to access services in areas where their network is limited. MTN, in turn, gains access to 9mobile’s spectrum holdings across the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2100 MHz bands, along with revenue-sharing opportunities.

Gbenga Adebayo, President of the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria, emphasized that tariff adjustments are not the sole issue facing the industry. He argued that the 50% increase, while helpful for recouping losses and funding infrastructure in underserved areas, does not address systemic problems like multiple taxation, vandalism of telecom equipment, and nationwide security concerns.

Maida believes the NBAN initiative can play a vital role in overcoming these obstacles by streamlining regulatory processes for faster fiber deployment, creating incentives for private investment in underserved regions, and launching public awareness campaigns to encourage broadband adoption and usage. The success of NBAN will be crucial in determining whether Nigeria can achieve its ambitious internet penetration target and unlock the full potential of its digital economy.

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