The Independent National Regulatory Authority for the telecommunications industry in Nigeria, the Nigerian Communications Commission has announced it will award contracts for broadband infrastructure for small businesses and higher institutions in the country on Thursday.
The NCC via statement on Monday, disclosed the contracts are to be executed in the six geopolitical zones of the country.
According to a statement released by the NCC, “the event will witness the award of contracts for the provision of broadband infrastructure for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), as well as for tertiary and higher institutions of learning across the six geopolitical zones of the country.”
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the projects to be awarded earlier in the year. The projects are expected to be completed within six months, from the date of the award.
“The provision of broadband infrastructure for the MSMEs in Nigeria, and for tertiary institutions across the six geopolitical zones of the country will add the necessary fillip towards achieving the major objectives spelt out in the NDEPS 2020-2030,” the statement added.
The NCC disclosed renowned tech firms have been selected for the implementation of the projects.
Some 85.23 million Nigerians have broadband access. That represents 44.68 per cent. It was about 44.5 per cent in July and 44.3 per cent in June.
The average fixed broadband internet speed in Nigeria is slow such that Nigeria placed 151st out of 182 nations in the most recent Speedtest Global Index report from the American internet speed monitoring company Ookla.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami is expected to grace the event while the projects are expected to accelerate broadband penetration in Nigeria.
