Nigeria Achieves 100% Broadband Penetration – Pantami

Nigeria has recorded optimum broadband penetration, climaxing at 100 per cent, according to the minister of Communication and Digital Economy Prof. Isah Patami.

Pantami said the report that Nigeria’s internet or broadband penetration was still at 43 per cent is obsolete.

He made the disclosure yesterday at the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture maiden digital economy conference held at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Abuja. Pantami represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the event.

Patami said, “one of the richest persons in the world announced that Nigeria out of the 54 African countries has outstanding broadband,” adding, “As I speak to you today the broadband penetration in Nigeria is 100 per cent.”

President Buhari said his administration has performed excellently in terms of achieving wider broadband for the people. According to him, from 23 percent coverage in 2019, his administration increased the broadband by 77 percent and 100 per cent in 2023.

He said “As at today, the broadband can be accessed everywhere in the country whether in the urban area, rural area or desert. We are the first African country to attain this and the only one so far.”

Earlier, president of NACCIMA Ide John Udeagbala said the aim is to change the narratives of smart and intelligent Nigerian youths from negative narratives, including advance fee fraud to the positives of the digital ecosystem.

“If efficient performance is to be achieved, there is a need to review the composition of the National Council to include the OPSN who are the main drivers of the Nigerian economy,” Udeagbala stated.

The organisation urged the government to consider very strongly the need to urgently restructure the national council to include at least three members of the OPSN to champion the accomplishment of this laudable goal.

President Buhari said the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy had been rate very high by an independent assessment. He said 70 percent is distinction and the digital sector has surpassed it. “We delivered excellently in all the eight priority areas in the sector.

“For instance, on pillar number one, which is broadband penetration, we achieved 134 per cent, pillar number two, which is 4G penetration we achieved 127 per cent. Furthermore, we delivered 99 per cent on the third pillar, the fourth pillar, which  has to do with national Identity we achieved 94 per cent.

“On the fifth pillar which is quarterly revenue generation, we moved from generating N51 billion in three months to N408 billion in three months.

The president further said, “on the sixth pillar we achieved 103 per cent result, 7th pillar we achieved 111 per cent and the eight pillars we achieved 137 per cent.

“I am proud to say today that Buhari is the founder of digital economy in Nigeria, the first president to develop the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy.”

On call by the president of NACCIMA for inclusion of the organised private sector in the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the president said the provision had been provided.