Mr. Emmanuel Onajite, a research analyst whose research focus is centered on the impact of broadband penetration on low-income economies, has predicted it is possible for Nigeria to achieve a 70 percent broadband penetration target in five years.
Onajite hinged his prediction based on the fact that a number of countries with lower gross domestic products (GDP) and per Capital Income have achieved greater broadband penetration, raising the hope of the same possibility in Nigeria.
“There is an indication that Nigeria is finally waking up to the need for telecommunications as a major pillar for national development, the inauguration of the National Broadband Penetration Committee is a pointer to the fact that things are set to change with 70 percent broadband target possible in five years,” he said.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami had before the end of 2019, inaugurated a 25- member committee of National Broadband Plan 2020-2025, with the aspiration to boost broadband penetration from its present coverage of 37.8 percent to over 70 percent.
Inaugurating the committee, which is headed by Ms. Funke Opeke, Managing Director/CEO of Main One Cable Company Limited, the Minister noted that pervasive broadband penetration will certainly make Nigeria a truly digital economy.
“The work of this Committee will go a very long way in supporting the national digital economic policy and strategy for the Federal Government because the digital economy is strategically dominating the world economy today,” he said.
The committee is expected to take a critical look at where the country is, after a painstaking review of the 2013-2018 phase and the status of penetration now. The members were enjoined to examine the challenges with a view to proffering solutions.