As Nigeria continues to push for 70% broadband penetration by year 2025, TechEconomy.ng can report that the penetration rate as at May 2022 reached 43.67%.
By implication, Nigeria has two years plus to achieve 26.33% increase in broadband penetration to reach the target set under the New National Broadband Plan 2020-2025.
TechEconomy.ng’s analysis from updated industry statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), shows the target is achievable as Nigeria averages 1.0% monthly increase in broadband penetration.
Secondly, the synergy between the industry regulator – the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) – and the mobile network operators, has led to intensified efforts to reconnect more than 70 million subscribers recently limited or disconnected from access mobile network services due to their inability to link the SIM Cards with the National Identification Number (NIN).
Meanwhile, with 43.67% broadband penetration recorded in May 2022, it appears the industry is recovering from the SIM-NIN Linkage challenges. When compared to 42.79% recorded in April, the country increased her broadband penetration rate by 0.88%.
This is the highest broadband penetration rate the country has recorded since 45.02% in December 2020.
The subscriptions in May also increased to 83,365,233 from 81,676,539 in April 2022.
NCC has also promised that grassroot communities and the underserved population of the country will not be left out of the national broadband plan when the implementation comes to fruition.
Speaking in Lagos at a session which discussed the critical issue of financial inclusion expected to be facilitated by a robust infrastructure deployment for broadband availability, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, said the Commission is mindful of the infrastructure gaps in the country and therefore, committed to driving national digital economy to the grassroots.
The EVC who spoke through Freda Bruce-Bennet of the Digital Economy Department, reiterated the Commission’s focus in supporting the quest for financial inclusion through provision of robust infrastructure such as broadband.
“As a Commission, we have a mandate to ensure availability of universal access to telecom services irrespective of circumstances and location of Nigerians and other users in Nigeria,” said Bruce-Bennet, who also informed the audience that voice communications enjoys over 100 per cent penetration.
