At the Nigerian Peering and Interconnection Forum (ngPIF) 2023, regulators, stakeholders, and government representatives converged on Lagos Island; the goal: Shaping the future of the nation’s internet connectivity.
Prominent figures at the 2-day event shared insights and initiatives, reflecting the progress made in the sector and the path forward.
Joshua Joshua, Operations Manager at Access and Content Limited and Programme Manager for Nigerian Pioneering and Interconnection Forum, spotlighted Nigeria’s internet penetration, emphasizing its growth which fell slightly from around 47% in 2022 to 45.57% in August 2023.
He highlighted an essential challenge: the disparity between the number of people peering and the limited shared capacity. His statistics revealed 540 GB of shared capacity, with Lagos standing at 524 GB, followed by Abuja with 5.6 GB and Kano with 0.6 GB.
Prof Adewale Adedokun, Coordinator of ngNOG, provided historical context, noting the group’s key role in Nigeria’s digital narrative. With almost two decades of experience, ngNOG has been a pioneer of ICT capacity building in the country.
Prof Adedokun credited the growth of the Nigerian Peering and Interconnection Forum to ngNOG’s extensive work, highlighting the event’s transformation from a workshop discussion to a prominent national event.
Muhammed Rudman, CEO of IXPN, delved into the intricate web of internet networks, stressing the importance of bringing together key actors in the ecosystem, from internet service providers to content distribution networks. IXPN’s mission, as articulated by Rudman, is to keep Nigeria’s internet traffic local. By encouraging domestication, IXPN aims to reduce the nation’s dependency on foreign networks, fostering both security and financial stability.
Engr. Ubale Maska, Executive Commissioner of Technical Services at the Nigerian Communications Commission, outlined the regulatory landscape’s significance.
He emphasized the NCC’s commitment to deepening internet penetration within the country. In keeping internet traffic local, Nigeria can not only enhance national security but also bolster its economy.
Engr. Maska called on stakeholders to strive for at least 90% of the country’s internet traffic to be kept local, marking a transformative step toward digital self-reliance.
The Nigerian Peering and Interconnection Forum (ngPIF) highlights Nigeria’s collective vision for a digitally interconnected future.
Through collaborative efforts, strategic investments, and regulatory support, the nation is well positioned to bridge the digital divide and become a leading force in Africa’s digital landscape.
As these leaders and visionaries at ngPIF continue to drive progress, Nigeria is on the brink of a new era, one where local connectivity fuels economic growth, fosters innovation, and empowers millions with the transformative power of the internet.
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