Lagos, Feb. 4, 2025 – The Federal Government plans to achieve 70 per cent broadband penetration in the country with a minimum internet speed of 25 Mbps in urban areas by 2025.
Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, said this in Lagos on Tuesday while launching the National Broadband Alliance.
He said the new initiative was aimed at improving the broadband penetration from six per cent in 2015 to approximately 42 per cent as of October 2024.
The minister, who was represented by Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), said the targets as set out in the National Broadband Plan (2020- 2025), were no mean targets.
He said the government was also deploying 90,000 kilometers of fibre optic cables across the nation to connect the underserved and rural communities to high-speed internet.
“While the progress made in broadband penetration is commendable, we recognise that much more needs to be done to ensure every Nigerian can enjoy the benefits of reliable, high-speed internet.
Tijani stressed the importance of strategic partnerships with donors, investors, and other key stakeholders in achieving the goals set out in the National Broadband Plan (2020–2025).
He said the collaborations were essential in overcoming infrastructure development challenges and making broadband affordable and accessible for all Nigerians.
“These targets reflect our unwavering commitment to ensuring that broadband is accessible, affordable, and inclusive for all Nigerians. However, we are also aware of the challenges ahead.
“Achieving these goals will require more than just the efforts of the private sector. It will require a holistic approach that includes strategic partnerships with donors, investors, and other key stakeholders in accelerating the rollout of critical infrastructure,” the minister said.