At the same time, the country recorded over 182 million active mobile subscriptions and about 53% broadband penetration as of early 2026.

These statistics are rarely spotlighted in discussions about Nigeria’s tech sector, though they point to the main driver in the field.

While attention is placed on startups, funding rounds and new apps, influence is consolidating around the companies that run the networks.

These include MTN Group and Airtel Africa, not simply as telecom operators, but as companies expanding into digital platforms.

The scale advantage nobody can replicate

Start with distribution. Nigeria has more than 182 million active mobile lines, with stable monthly growth. In January 2026 alone, over 2.5 million new subscriptions were added.

Market share is heavily concentrated, with MTN and Airtel together accounting for close to 86% of mobile connections in the country.

This is not a fragmented market, a small number of operators control access at scale, limiting how far smaller competitors can reach.

That control affects how people come online, how data is used, and how digital services reach users.

Startups build applications, but telcos are in control of the networks on which those applications depend.

From connectivity to control

For years, telecom companies relied on voice calls and SMS for revenue, but that model has changed.

Data now drives earnings, alongside enterprise services and digital offerings.

The transition is measurable and revenue is moving towards:

• mobile data
• business connectivity
• digital service layers

At the same time, telecom operators are expanding into:

• financial services
• developer platforms
• enterprise solutions
• identity and verification systems

This is a change in structure, not just product expansion.

Once a company controls connectivity, expanding into adjacent services becomes a natural progression.

MTN’s reset

Recent changes at MTN Group align with the new direction. A few days ago, the company announced the appointment of five new independent non-executive directors, alongside the planned retirement of long-serving board members. The changes take effect from March 31 and are tied to its Ambition 2030 strategy.

This is part of a governance adjustment. As operations expand across markets and services, oversight structures are being strengthened to match that scale and complexity.

Board composition influences strategic direction, capital allocation and risk management. Changes at that level usually show where a company is heading.

In this case, the direction points beyond traditional telecom operations.

Airtel is focusing on a different future

Airtel Africa is taking a different approach. The company is testing satellite-to-mobile connectivity, working with low-earth orbit systems to extend coverage.

Nigeria still faces infrastructure challenges, including uneven fibre deployment and high rollout costs in rural areas.

Satellite connectivity provides a way around these limits. Coverage is no longer tied entirely to physical infrastructure such as towers and fibre routes.

If scaled, this approach could change how network expansion is done, particularly in underserved areas.

The fintech convergence is inevitable

Telecom operators already have:

• large, verified user bases
• frequent customer interaction through airtime and data
• wide physical and digital distribution

These factors support expansion into:

• payments
• wallets
• remittance services
• credit products

This brings them into direct competition with fintech firms, with the difference lying in the starting point.

Startups build products and then acquire users. Telcos already have users and are building services around them.

The result of this overlap is still unfolding, but the direction is too simple not to understand.

Data flows, and telcos sit at the centre

Nigeria’s digital activity is growing really fast. Monthly data consumption has crossed 1.3 million terabytes, driven by streaming, social media and financial services.

All of that traffic runs through telecom networks.

Operators influence:

• connection speed
• pricing
• reliability

These factors affect how digital services perform and how widely they are adopted.

This places telecom companies in a foremost position within the digital economy.

There is Growth, but access is still uneven

Infrastructure investment is increasing even as the network keeps expanding, with more sites, wider fibre coverage and gradual 5G rollout. MTN alone invested over $1 billion in 2025, targeting wider broadband access.

However, there is still a huge gap.

Broadband penetration is just above 53%, and access is uneven across regions. Again, we can’t leave out the high expenses that limit many users.

Expansion is ongoing, but inclusion is not yet complete.

Regulation will follow power

With telecom companies expanding their role, regulatory attention is increasing.

Issues under focus include:

• data protection
• competition
• infrastructure security

Telecom networks now support financial systems, communication and economic activity at scale.

As their influence grows, so does the need for oversight.

The endgame is already visible

As it stands, telcos across Africa, in a bid to become tech platforms, are expanding into multiple layers of the digital economy.

Their roles are expanding to include:

• financial services
• cloud distribution
• identity systems
• infrastructure platforms

This places them in a position to support and influence a wide range of digital services.

Startups will continue to innovate just as regulators will continue to respond.

But telecom operators will always be indispensable to how digital access is provided and scaled.

So…

Much of the conversation around Nigeria’s tech sector focuses on applications, founders and funding.

That view leaves out the underlying systems that make those services possible.

The more fundamental changes are happening in network expansion, infrastructure investment and corporate strategy.

They are less visible, but they carry long-term weight, and they are steadily changing how the digital economy operates.

Highlighting the sector’s prospects to generate up to N18.3 billion by 2026, Tijani noted its essential role as a backbone for the nation’s economic prosperity. 

This announcement came during an event organized by the Senate Committee on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Cybersecurity, alongside the House of Representatives Committee on Digital and Information Communication Technology, aimed at raising awareness about the National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill.

Dr. Tijani pointed out that the ICT sector is already a big contributor to Nigeria’s GDP, accounting for approximately 13 to 18%.

In the last quarter of 2023 alone, the sector contributed about 16.6%. 

The sector’s revenue has seen commendable growth, from N5.49 billion in 2019 to the projected N18.3 billion by 2026.

The minister attributed this to Nigeria’s status as a leading destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) in technology, with tech startups attracting around $2 billion in FDI last year.

Beyond financial figures, Tijani pointed to the ability of the digital economy in creating jobs and enhancing productivity across various sectors. He noted that the digital economy’s growth could spur development in other areas, acting as a stimulus for broader economic progress.

Central to this vision is the National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill, which Dr. Tijani described as long overdue. The bill aims to provide a comprehensive legal framework to facilitate innovation, fair competition, and sustained growth in the digital economy.

It also seeks to “enhance the use of digital technology to support growth and transformation of Nigeria’s Economy through application and use of digital technology in all facets of life in Nigeria.”

“There is no clear legislation pushing competition and ensuring development in the digital space,” Tijani said, highlighting the bill’s ability to fill this gap.

The bill’s significance was reiterated by Senator Shuaib Salisu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity. Salisu stressed that ICT is not just another sector but a foundational element upon which other sectors depend. 

He also indicated the importance of media engagement in ensuring the bill’s success, clarifying that it is not about levies or commissions but about creating an enabling environment for the digital economy to thrive.

Hon. Stanley Olajide, Chairman of the House Committee on Digital and Information Communication Technology, agreed to this perspective, describing the bill as important for sustainable development. 

Olajide highlighted the inclusive approach in the bill’s development, emphasizing collaboration with stakeholders to ensure the legislation meets the needs and aspirations of Nigerians.

He pointed out that the bill, which has already undergone its first reading in the National Assembly, aims to establish a regulatory framework for digital literacy, skills development, enhanced cybersecurity, and innovation.

Further adding to the discourse, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, through his representative Emmanuel Edet, described the bill as an enabler for integrating digital technologies into daily life and governance.

Inuwa emphasized the need to leverage the growing digital industry to drive economic desires, leveraging Nigeria’s youthful population and growing digital skills.

The bill, structured in 16 parts with over 60 sections, addresses a wide range of topics, including the validity of electronic transactions, digital contracts, signatures, and time stamps. It also focuses on consumer protection for digital transactions and the use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain for public services.

As part of the legislative process, the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy announced plans to release the updated bill by July 23, 2024. 

The ministry will engage stakeholders nationwide, including public services, regulators, innovators, and service providers, to gather feedback and ensure the bill’s relevance and applicability. Technical workshops will also be held to refine the draft and incorporate expert opinions.

This news gained significant attention and generated considerable interest among individuals seeking to pursue a career in cybersecurity.

In light of the increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals, obtaining the right certifications is crucial for individuals aspiring to excel in this field.

These certifications not only validate your skills and expertise but also open doors to various opportunities in the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity.

Here are 10 essential certifications that can empower you to chart a successful career path in cybersecurity:

Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

This certification demonstrates your comprehensive understanding of cloud security programs, making it essential for professionals working with virtual environments.

Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL)

The ITIL certification is globally recognized and enhances your knowledge of implementing security practices and streamlining IT workflows.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

A renowned certification, CISSP signifies your advanced knowledge in designing, implementing, and managing security policies, positioning you for top security management roles.

CompTIA Security+

This fundamental certification equips you with core knowledge and skills in network security, risk management, and threat detection, making it a great starting point in your cybersecurity career.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Ideal for those interested in penetration testing and ethical hacking, this certification confirms your ability to identify vulnerabilities and apply countermeasures.

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Security

This certification focuses on securing networks built on Cisco devices and technologies, showcasing your competency in designing robust security infrastructures.

GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)

Highly sought-after, GSEC demonstrates your hands-on cybersecurity skills and understanding of security practices, preparing you to protect IT infrastructures effectively.

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

Targeted towards managerial roles, CISM enhances your skills in risk management, incident response planning, and cyber defense strategy.

Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)

This certification validates your competence in threat analysis, behavioral analytics, and proactive cyber threat response strategies.

Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

Known for its rigorous approach, OSCP tests real-world penetration testing skills, establishing you as an expert in exploiting vulnerabilities and protecting systems.

By obtaining these certifications, you equip yourself with the practical knowledge and expertise needed to tackle cyber threats and position yourself for success in the field of cybersecurity

The Minister, who represented President Mohammadu Buhari, announced that the Committee was formed in response to Mr. President’s directive that he establish a committee to coordinate computer security centers in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry, in collaboration with other relevant institutions, in order to intercept potential cyber-attacks.

He stated that with the increased role of ICT in online activities, as well as its critical role in the conduct of the 2023 General Elections in accordance with the Electoral Act, as amended, the Committee’s job will assist the nation in conducting free, fair, and credible elections.

He directed the Committee, which he serves on alongside the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, and the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Kashifu Abdullahi, among other ministry CEOs, to work around the clock from Friday, February 24, 2023, until Monday, February 27, 2023.

He also stated that the committee will receive complaints about any attacks on critical infrastructure and will ensure that such complaints are escalated to relevant institutions, public or private, for necessary corrective actions.

Prof. Mohammad Abubakar, CEO of Galaxy Backbone, and Prof. Aminu Ahmad, Special Assistant to the Hon. Minister on Digital Economy, are members of the committee, which also includes key agency directors.

“Our main responsibilities in this committee are more advisory.” Firstly, when it comes to intercepting potential attacks that may come to our cyberspace. The Committee will coordinate the NCC’s Computer Security

Incident Response Team at NCC; the Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Galaxy Backbone National Cybersecurity Centre.

“These three centers must work together, complement each other and ensure they intercept any potential attacks on our cyberspace, particularly on our Critical Infrastructure during the election so that we could either take action or provide necessary advice to the government,” Pantami said.

He said the Committee will work closely with institutions such as the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), mobile network operators (MNOs), among others, to collectively safeguard Nigeria’s cyberspace from potential attacks or cases of vandalism and fiber cuts during the election.

“The challenges of protecting our cyberspace is a collective national responsibility; it is a national assignment. As a sector, we would play our responsibility objectively and professionally. We would work collectively rather than working individually as agencies since we are in the same sector,” he added.

Pantami disclosed this in a speech delivered at the third edition of Digital Nigeria Day on Monday. The speech highlighted some of the major milestones which

Today makes it 3 years since the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy commenced the implementation of a Policy and Strategy for the development of a Digital Economy in Nigeria.

According to Pantami, the ICT sector provided 3 unprecedented contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country in the last 3 years, namely 14.07% in Q1 2020, 17.92% in Q2 2021, and 18.44% in Q2 2022. At each time, these numbers are the highest ever contribution of the ICT sector to the GDP.  

“ICT sector grew by 14.70% in Q4 2020, making it the fastest-growing sector of the Nigerian economy in the last quarter of 2020 and the only sector to have grown by double digits. 

“This played a critical role in enabling Nigeria to exit the recession.  Furthermore,   the quarterly revenues also generated for the Federal Government rose from N51.3 billion to  N408.7 billion, through spectrum sales and taxes from the sector.”

Further, over 863,372 citizens benefited from digital skills programs and the Ministry has agreements with leading global companies like Microsoft and Huawei, to train millions of Nigerians.

When Pantami assumed office on the 21st of August 2019, the official broadband penetration figures stood at 33.72% and today it is 44.65%, representing close to 13 million new broadband users.

He noted that there were 13,823 4G base stations and now 36,751, representing a 165.86% increase.  The percentage of 4G coverage across the country also increased from 23% to 77.52%. 

Additionally, the cost of data has crashed from N1,200 per GB to about N350, making it easier for Nigerians to connect to the Internet.

“The quarterly savings from the IT projects’ clearance process rose from N12.45 million to N10.57 billion,” he noted

He said the government aims to create a pool of Innovation Driven Enterprises (IDEs) to accelerate the development of Nigeria’s digital economy.

“Through our efforts, 355,610 direct and indirect jobs were created. Privacy concerns are also being addressed through the newly established Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB).

“The drafting of the data protection bill has reached an advanced stage. The Digital Identity enrolments have also been very successful, with issued National Identification Numbers (NINs) rising from less than 40 million to over 90 million,” Pantami added.

As a leading operator in Africa, MTN is also set to be a front runner in the digital era. The premise of its “Ambition 2025” strategy is intended to lead digital solutions for Africa’s progress.

During this year’s DTW, Mohamed Salah, Network Operations Assurance of MTN Group, attended the meeting and shared MTN’s progress and forward-thinking on its digital strategy and Autonomous Networks (AN) construction.

Strategy

MTN, the largest mobile network operator in Africa, provides voice, data, fintech, digital, enterprise, wholesale, and API services to more than 270 million customers in 19 markets.

In the recent wave of digital transformation among operators, MTN took the lead in releasing its “Ambition 2025” strategy in 2021, aiming to become the largest and most valuable platform and provide the best connection in Africa.

When “Ambition 2025” was released, another formidable trend — AN — emerged in the industry, and soon became an extremely popular choice. AN aims to build Self-X network capabilities and achieve Zero-X user experiences.

“In 2021, MTN officially kicked off our AN project to empower ‘Ambition 2025’,” Mohamed Salah said at the Autonomous Networks Leadership forum during DTW 2022.

Approach and Path

MTN’s AN project adopts the three-step strategy: “Adopt – Adapt – Apply”.

Adopt: Refer to the standard architecture, level concept, and best practices of TM Forum AN.

Adapt: Integrate advanced concepts from the industry, design MTN’s AN framework based on the actual situation of MTN, refine the L3 mid-term architecture and L4 long-term architecture within the framework, determine key features (such as interfaces between autonomous domains), and release MTN’s AN blueprint.

Apply: Based on the unified framework and architectures, carry out and enrich AN applications; deploy in multiple subsidiaries, including South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, and Global Connect; and verify and promote AN.

To achieve the goal of reaching an L3 autonomous network by 2023 and L4 by 2025, MTN has allocated the three dimensions (network, service, and O&M process) of the TM Forum AN maturity model to different teams to jointly improve their ANL.

For example, the ICT infrastructure team is responsible for improving the ANL of the network domain; therefore, it will pool the AN capability of ICT suppliers, such as Huawei, to quickly improve the ANL of the network domain.

Through network service APIs, capabilities are opened to upper-layer systems so as to improve the ANLs of the service and process domains.

Achievements

Mohamed Salah said MTN has invested in more than 10 AN innovations in multiple domains and subsidiaries and has seen encouraging results. In 2021, MTN explored automatic O&M and developed use cases for the automatic recovery of sleeping cells.

This year, it took a step further by introducing the automatic diagnosis of cross-network faults. Currently, 70% of fault types can be automatically diagnosed, which is an extraordinary achievement.

By cooperating with Huawei, MTN has built a congestion-free IP network in MTN Nigeria. If congestion occurs on this network, it is detected within 1 minute, optimization paths are automatically calculated, and path optimization is completed in a single click.

This solves the problem of traffic congestion seen during the pandemic in Nigeria. Bearer network optimization is accelerated from several hours to just 3 minutes.

MTN base stations use a large number of batteries to alleviate power instability issues. To improve the situation, MTN cooperated with Huawei to pilot an intelligent battery backup prediction solution that leverages AI algorithms to predict battery backup time online.

This solution reduces sites’ power failure risks, facilitates the appropriate scheduling of site tickets, and intelligently determines batteries’ lifespans, reducing unnecessary battery replacements (by 8%).

At the end of his speech, Mohamed Salah concluded that these use cases came from different domains and subsidiaries, they were all organized under MTN’s AN strategy and included in MTN’s AN blueprint.

Once the business values of excellent use cases were verified, MTN immediately promoted the use cases in more subsidiaries in batches.

It is gratifying to see that the ANL has increased in subsidiaries and AN achievement manifests its own values. All this empowers MTN’s “Ambition 2025” strategy.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated this in the ‘Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product Report’ for Q2 2022, released on the 26th of August, 2022.

The Digital Economy sector under Professor Pantami has continued its trend of playing a key part in the growth on Nigeria’s economy.

The Report by the NBS indicated that the ICT sector contributed 18.44% to the total real GDP in Q2 2022.

This is the highest contribution of ICT to the GDP and is truly unprecedented and marks the third time that the sector has achieved an unprecedented contribution to Nigeria’s GDP during the tenure of the Honourable Minister- in Q1 2020, Q2 2021 and now Q2 2022.

The oil sector contributed 6.33% to the total real GDP in Q2 2022, which was lower that the contribution in Q2 ‘2021 and Q1 ‘2022, where it contributed 7.42% and 6.63% respectively.

The non-oil sector’s contribution grew by 4.77% in real terms, resulting in a 93.67% contribution to the nation’s GDP in the Q2 ‘2022, higher than Q2 ‘2021 and Q2 ‘2022, where it contributed 92.58% and 93.37% respectively.

The Minister notes that the growing contribution of the ICT sector to the GDP is as a result of the commitment of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR to the development of the digital economy.

The diligent implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a Digital Nigeria, stakeholder engagement and creation of an enabling environment have all played an important role in this achievement.

The support of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has contributed immensely to the impressive developments in the sector.

The unprecedented contribution of ICT to Nigeria’s GDP can also be attributed to the dynamic and results-oriented leadership of the sector.

The GDP Report has shown how critical the ICT sector is to the growth of our country’s digital economy and, by extension, the general economy.

The Minister congratulates all stakeholders in the digital economy ecosystem for this cheering news.

He also renews his call to all sectors to take advantage of the Federal Government’s new focus on the digital economy to enable and improve their processes through the use of ICTs.

This would enhance the output of all the sectors of the economy and boost Nigeria’s GDP.

The EVC, represented by Mrs Nnena Ukoha, Head, Corporate Communications, called on Nigerians to explore opportunities in the Digital Economy to eradicate poverty in the country.

Speaking on the topic, Poverty Eradication in Nigeria: Leveraging Opportunities in a Digital Economy, Danbatta noted that ”For most developing countries, particularly those with large populations, inadequate infrastructure has made it difficult to participate as equal partners in the worldwide enterprise of knowledge production and dissemination.  This portends an unequal distribution of access, resources and opportunities in this new economy, the Digital Economy.  To avert the birth of a new type of poverty (Information Poverty), the ICT gap (digital divide) between the developed and developing nations must be bridged.”  

That Nigeria like most developing nations is not enjoying the full benefits of the ICT revolution due to inadequate telecommunication infrastructure, capacity to maintain existing infrastructure, and policies for equitable public participation as producers and consumers of information and knowledge.

“A nation’s development is measured in economic terms such as per capita income, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and Gross National Product (GNP), among other indices. Indices such as level of literacy, social development, human capital development, cultural innovation and technological preparedness are not regarded as a measure of development.  If we must tap into the ICT revolution, then it is time for a paradigm shift!  The traditional economic terms are not a reflection of the new age of the Digital Economy “he said.

On efforts made by the Nigerian government, “There are several past and ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Government to alleviate poverty through ICT using organizations and programmes like the National Information Technology Agency (NITDA), using the offices of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) across the country as ICT hubs, the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) to ensure that telecommunications services are accessible to the widest number of people (and communities) at affordable prices. USPF has poverty-reducing activities like the Community Resource Centers, USPF Hackathon, RUBI – Rural Broadband Initiative,  UnICC – University InterCampus Connectivity,  BTS – Base Transceiver Stations, IRC – Information Resource Centres, SKC – School Knowledge Centres, and the E-Health Project. “

The EVC said that “NCC will continue to support the vision of the present government to put Nigeria amongst the top twenty in the comity of Nations and to align our developmental goals in keeping with the seventeen United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but particularly the goal to eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere which is currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day, by year 2030. 

He listed initiatives at the NCC directly or indirectly target poverty eradication to include;

“Advanced Digital Appreciation Programme: Transforming the Academics: Advanced Digital Appreciation Programme for Tertiary Institutions, ADAPTI is aimed at bridging the digital divide existing in academia with the provision of computers and other ICT facilities to equip the lecturers and other experts in order to improve ICT skills and also to enrich the students. The overriding objective of this intervention has been to elicit the pervasive application of ICT skills in academia for enhanced staff output, institutional efficiency, and student enculturation to e-based learning for sustainable national growth.” 

“Digital Awareness Programme (DAP): this is a special intervention programme to address the digital information knowledge gap in the country, especially among the teeming youthful population.  On the last count, the DAP Project supports 229 Secondary Schools across the Six (6) Geopolitical Zones of Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory. The strategy in this programme is to expose schools and colleges to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) awareness, usage and application by facilitating access to ICT tools by the provision of twenty one (21) Desktop Computers, Local Area Network, Printers, Scanners, VSAT Dish and deployment of one Year Bandwidth Subscription for Internet Access.”

“NCC- Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) Projects: Nigeria’s ICT flagship institution, the Digital Bridge, DBI, came into existence in 2004 to impact on the national ICT human capital building efforts by bridging the ICT knowledge gap.” 

“Frequency Auction: Contributing to National Purse: The Nigerian telecom regulator has contributed to the Federation Account from proceeds of frequency auctions and licensing. The frequencies auctioned, are in turn used for the deployment of services for poverty reduction and the benefit of the citizenry. The Commission has a clear understanding of this value chain and is determined to uphold it. “

“Value Added Services (VAS): Telecommunication has given birth to several value-added services that open up benefits to all cadre of people irrespective of location and level of education. These VAS are great channels for revenue generation. Some VAT are content development, Phone repair network, IT device accessories sales market (phone pouches, screen covers etc), Ringback tones, and even government agencies providing service on telecom platform e.g NAFDAC – drug authentication code. “

On broadband and poverty , “The Nigerian National Broadband Plan 2020–2025 (the “Broadband Plan”) devotes an entire section to targets, strategies and roadmaps to promote pervasive broadband deployment, increased broadband adoption, usage and availability to all at affordable prices.  These all point to government’s commitment to harmonizing and utilizing the benefits derivable from ICT for the good of all. “

“In 2020, the latest National Broadband Plan was approved to foster fuller economic exploitation of ICTs. This means that there will be more pervasive deployment and usage of ICT to push the development and economic attractiveness of the nation.”

He assured that The Federal Government of Nigeria is committed to sustainable development of the ICT subsector for the growth of the economy and the eradication of poverty.  “This was made evident during the just concluded Communications sector retreat where the Ministry of Communications and the agencies under it converged to chart a five-year plan that would make communications services, affordable, accessible, and available to all persons in Nigeria.”

Danbatta concluded that “The credit for Nigeria’s ambitious broadband pursuit is traced to the potentials and prospects of broadband technology, the ease of deployment and the vast opportunities available through it.  The Commission will continue to put strategies in place to pursue last mile deployment of broadband. This would ensure small businesses are positioned to compete globally and communities and individuals are able to create wealth through access to ICT.”

“By providing access to information, making markets more efficient, fostering social inclusion, and equalizing opportunities in rural areas, ICT offers an innovative and unprecedented tool to directly reduce poverty.”

Other speakers at the event include; Founder and Chairman, Heirs Holdings, Mr Tony Elumelu; Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN); Sheila Ojei, Director Strategy, Funding and Stakeholders Management, LSETF; The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Lagos State, Mrs Cecilia Bolaji Dada and Dr Oluseye Ajuwon, Economist and Consultant, University of Lagos.