The Federal Government says it is working to provide internet access to twenty million Nigerians by leveraging the capabilities of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, a move expected to boost nationwide connectivity and strengthen emerging digital services such as telemedicine. The disclosure was made during a public and private sector engagement roundtable hosted by an AI-powered telemedicine platform and attended by industry stakeholders, where officials emphasized that innovations in digital health depend heavily on reliable broadband access.
According to government representatives, telemedicine and other remote healthcare systems cannot function effectively without strong connectivity, especially in rural communities that remain excluded from the digital economy. The plan to use NigComSat to beam internet into underserved locations follows recent projections by the satellite company to generate significant revenue by expanding broadband coverage across the country. Government officials noted that Nigeria’s unique advantage of owning a national satellite provides an opportunity to extend digital inclusion to millions who currently lack access.
At the engagement, regulators also called on health insurers and telemedicine providers to integrate data protection measures into the core architecture of their digital platforms. The country’s data protection authority highlighted that telemedicine, electronic records, AI-driven diagnostics, and remote monitoring have become essential tools for improving healthcare delivery, but stressed that compliance with data privacy laws remains fundamental to protecting users. Operators were advised to collect only essential information, ensure transparent consent, and follow approved standards for any cross-border data transfers.
Industry leaders reiterated that digital healthcare is now indispensable in addressing the country’s widening gaps in medical access, especially with the ratio of one doctor to four thousand patients. They added that telemedicine can help reduce pressure on the health system by enabling remote consultations and expanding access to care for populations that are typically underserved. They noted, however, that responsible adoption remains crucial, and that regulatory safeguards help ensure the dignity, security and privacy of users.
Global trends continue to show strong growth in telemedicine, with projections estimating the market could reach four hundred and fifty billion dollars within the decade. Analysts attribute this to rising demand for remote healthcare services, growing smartphone penetration, and advancements in artificial intelligence and digital communication tools. Despite the private sector providing more than half of Nigeria’s healthcare services, experts observe that access remains uneven, with services often concentrated in major cities and less available in rural communities.
For MSMEs operating in health tech, telecoms, and digital services, the government’s renewed focus on expanding satellite-enabled broadband presents opportunities to build new products, widen their market reach and support more inclusive service delivery across the country.
