As Nigeria becomes more attuned to digital economy and more emphasis is placed on offering new digital services by youths, there is increasing need by government to provide public institutions with broadband internet.
Tech experts say broadband connectivity can significantly enhance local schooling, enabling remote learning, access to online services such as videos and documentaries and the delivery of better IT services in schools. It can generate high revenue for airports and markets by increasing their sales. Also, enhanced connectivity can play an important role in the creation and delivery of new services. These can range from simple services such as access to online citizen portals, allowing local residents to pay their council tax online, or perhaps book bulky item collections, all the way to wider services such as smart city initiatives or 5G services by enabling efficient and fast connectivity to public sector sites.
But public institutions in the country had been limited by poor broadband connectivity in the past. This has ultimately impacted on economic development in the country.
Today in a world dominated by digital services, public institutions can no longer afford to offer their customers subpar connectivity options.
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This is probably why the federal government recently earmarked N41.6billion for the provision of broadband connectivity in some public institutions in the country.
The Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy said that it would spend its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N41.6billion in the provision of broadband connectivity in higher institutions, airports and markets.
Speaking at a news briefing in Abuja recently, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami said the N41.6bn was internally generated from Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
He said that the money would provide interventions in 113 tertiary institutions, airports and markets in three phases of the gesture.
“The total amount we have committed to spend is approximately N41.6bn. 19 universities, one Federal College of Education, 20 markets and the second and third phases, we have provision for 20 airports, six additional markets and 49 higher institutions of learning.
“The whole money is from our internally generated revenue that we have decided to spend to other institutions and support without retaining any money from that amount,” Pantami said.
He said the implementation level in some institutions was between 72 percent to 91 percent in phase one, hence implementing phases two and three of the interventions in institutions, airports and markets.
The minister said that he convinced both the NCC Board’s Chairman, Prof. Adeolu Akande and the Executive Vice-Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta to spend the money on other sectors such as education and commerce.
“I presented my argument to both of them and I was able to convince them and they agreed with me that this money is worth spending in other sectors. Instead of spending this money in our sector, it is better to sacrifice it on other sectors, particularly education, commerce and others within the country.
“We generated our revenue internally. What we can generate other sectors cannot be able to do that. It is important to realise that this is not just direct government intervention, but it is an intervention that we willingly sacrificed from our IGR,” he added.
Prof. Pantami said that the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007, Section 21 clearly stated that from the operators of laws with regards to IGR, 20 percent was retained from what was generated.
He said that section 22 mentioned that 80 per cent of IGR was to be remitted to the consolidated revenue account for the federation.
He said that going by the policy in place, the communications sector would continue to prioritise interventions in other sectors.
He said, “The more you grow higher it is no more about yourself. It is how you touch other people’s lives positively and that is the beauty. I received an update from the NCC with regards to the implementation of what we have done on November 24, 2022, based on the record. Generally, one can safely say that the first phase had been implemented.
Benefits of broadband
As the technology supporting broadband connectivity continues to grow, so do the benefits of getting connected.
Here are some examples of how broadband connectivity can benefit your home or business.
Economic development
Broadband enables local communities, regions and nations to develop, attract, retain and expand job-creating businesses and institutions. It also improves the productivity and profitability of large, small and home-based businesses and allows them to compete in local, national and global markets.
Government services
Broadband helps government agencies improve quality, lower costs and increase transparency by improving internal operations and making it easier for residents to interact with them online.
Education
Broadband networks enhance educational experiences by providing students and teachers with access to an array of resources, including text-based materials, photos, videos, music, animations, interactive lessons and oral history collections. Broadband also opens classroom walls, allowing students to participate in distance learning opportunities at any time from any location they can access the internet, such as libraries, school and home.
Healthcare
Broadband makes remote access to clinical services possible for patients and provides significantly improved, cost-effective access to quality health care. It also allows physicians to monitor their patients through innovative home health devices, avoiding expensive house calls and giving patients real-time feedback.
Public safety
Broadband, particularly wireless broadband, is becoming increasingly indispensable to the interoperability of police, fire, health and other government entities that protect the public in both day-to-day and crisis situations. This involves rapid disaster response systems, effective early warning and public alert systems, disaster preparation programs, remote security monitoring and backup systems for public safety communications networks.
Telework
Broadband allows teleworkers opportunities to more readily live and work in locations of their own choosing, without having to be within commuting distance of a corporate center or another base location. Studies show that commuters drive 53% to 77% less on days they telecommute than on days when they drive into work.
Entertainment
Broadband is essential to enjoy 21st-century entertainment. Streaming video, online gaming and connecting with friends and relatives via social media are only possible because of broadband.
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