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NCC Prioritizes Broadband, to Remove Barriers
The federal government has made it a “personal priority” to bring Nigeria to the forefront of broadband service, a remarkable pledge which if implemented could fuel economic development, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek can now report.
Nigeria currently scores very low in availability and affordability scales for broadband services even with the numerous submarine cable initiatives with landing points on the shores of the country.
And while other countries including less endowed nations are starting to invest in new, fibre-based infrastructure, delivering considerably higher bandwidth, Nigeria is tottering under the weight of distribution challenges.
The challenges include; lack of adequate national transmission backbone; unavailability of spectrum for last mile connectivity; low demand for broadband; and lack of local content and e-services.
Others are absence of broadband policy; unreliable electricity supply; and vandalization of equipment.
Lack of policy means there is no clear roadmap for spectrum planning, particularly with the harvesting of the digital dividend spectrum.
But the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is to make regulatory intervention including incentives for broadband network roll out.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered that in the absence of reliable statistics, broadband penetration of Nigeria is said to be about 6 per cent.
Dr. Eugene Juwah, executive vice chairman, NCC, said that high speed internet is a new engine of growth and job creation and that his commission is to intervene by deepening broadband penetration in the country by taking the technology to a larger segment of the Nigerian society.
Speaking at the Nigerian Broadband Forum held in Lagos last week, Juwah said “the consumption needs for ICT products are so vast and availability so infinitesimal” resulting in “an overwhelming opportunity for investment, much like the pre-GSM era.”
Juwah said efforts are being made by the Nigerian government including the states to welcome more participation and investments in the telecoms industry.
Before now, the NCC came up with initiatives such as the State Accelerated Broadband Initiative (Sabi) and Wire Nigeria Initiative (Win) to deepen broadband penetration in the country but they failed to impact due to lack of a broadband policy to give a direction on their execution.
Raising hopes, Juwah affirmed that there can be no adequate broadband without fixed infrastructure, adding that the 2.5GHZ which is under the custody of the broadcast community in different slots would be opened up as broadcasters are to vacate the frequency in 2015 as a result of digitization.
By this, he said huge frequencies would be available for LTE come 2015, noting that the broadband penetration initiative would be a win-win situation for operators and subscribers as there would be sufficient base stations to aggregate mobile traffic.
Omobola Johnson, minister of Communication Technology noted that: “The challenge for us in Nigeria is not the proverbial last mile but the last hundreds of miles- taking that landed capacity to cities, communities, institutions and homes.”
She said the average broadband speeds today are slow and with a penetration rate of just 6 percent or thereabout, “it is not ubiquitous-demand has already far outstripped supply.”
Johnson opined that clear government policy, effective and independent regulation that attracts investments and fueled the country’s success in voice will fuel the success of broadband services delivery in Nigeria.
According to the communications minister, objectives for broadband penetration in the country are to accelerate the penetration of reasonably priced broadband internet in the country, foster broadband usage for national development and to ensure the rapid development of a broadband policy support and implementation framework.
Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced plans to introduce Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) baggage tracking technology across domestic and international airport terminals to tackle the growing problem of delayed, misrouted and missing luggages
Michael Achimugu, director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA, disclosed this at a stakeholder engagement forum in Lagos.
Achimugu said the RFID-enabled system would replace the traditional barcode-based baggage tracking framework and provide airlines and passengers with real-time visibility of checked luggage from check-in to final collection.
According to him, the technology would improve baggage traceability, reduce mishandling and strengthen accountability across the baggage-handling chain.
Unlike conventional barcode systems, RFID technology allows baggage to be automatically scanned at multiple points without requiring direct line of sight, enabling real-time tracking of luggage throughout its journey.
Achimugu said issues involving short-landed, missing, lost or damaged baggage had remained among the major complaints from air travellers, alongside flight delays.
He said the introduction of RFID technology was therefore aimed at improving baggage-handling standards and restoring passenger confidence in the aviation sector.
The NCAA said the initiative also aligns with IATA Resolution 753, which requires airlines to track baggage at key points during the passenger journey.
The authority expects the technology to provide more accurate information on the location of luggage, facilitate quicker resolution of baggage-related complaints and improve the overall passenger experience.
The NCAA said the initiative would also strengthen accountability among airlines and other stakeholders involved in baggage handling at Nigerian airports.
eTranzact International Plc has called for increased adoption of digital payment solutions among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), saying access to technology is critical to improving business efficiency, financial inclusion and growth.
The company also said it was deepening its partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to expand digital access and financial literacy among small businesses across the country.
In a statement, the Divisional Head, Merchant Services, eTranzact, Mrs. Abimbola Reis, stated this at the SMEDAN/eTranzact Town Hall Engagement in Lagos recently, themed, “Financial Literacy and Inclusion for MSMEs Leveraging on Fintech Innovation.”
Reis described MSMEs as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, noting that the sector comprises almost 40 million businesses and contributes significantly to economic growth and job creation.
However, she said many businesses continue to face challenges including limited access to finance, inefficient payment systems, weak financial reporting, cash-flow constraints and inadequate access to digital platforms.
She added that trust concerns also affect businesses’ ability to access finance, while heavy reliance on cash increases exposure to theft and makes payment reconciliation more difficult.
Representing the Director-General of SMEDAN, Prof. Yinka Fisher said the town hall was aimed at generating practical ideas and solutions that would support the growth and expansion of MSMEs.
“The essence of this engagement is to share ideas and concepts that will help MSMEs thrive and expand. Our partnership with eTranzact is about expanding the frontiers of MSMEs and ensuring they continue to grow,” he said.
Also speaking, representative of the Director-General of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr. Praise Adedigba said businesses could no longer depend solely on hard work to remain competitive.
As the world marks International Youth Day, attention once again turns to the opportunities and challenges facing young people as they prepare for work, financial independence, and adulthood.
In Nigeria, the urgency is clear. According to UNICEF, about 7% of young people aged 15–24 possess basic ICT skills, highlighting a wider gap in the skills required to participate effectively in an increasingly digital economy.
At the same time, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, continues to prioritize skills development, job creation, entrepreneurship and social inclusion.
For PalmPay, youth empowerment goes beyond corporate social responsibility. It is an investment in the people who will shape Nigeria’s workforce, businesses and economy.
This belief is reflected in initiatives focused on financial literacy, employability, digital skills and access to opportunities.
Through its Graduate Trainee Programme, PalmPay provides young graduates with opportunities to gain workplace experience, develop professional skills and build careers in a fast-evolving industry.
The investment also extends to financial education. Through its NYSC Financial Literacy Programme, PalmPay brings practical financial education to young Nigerians at an important transition point, helping Corps members develop better habits around saving, spending, budgeting and protecting their money.
For young women, Purple Woman provides another pathway to economic empowerment, creating opportunities for internships, learning and professional development while supporting greater female participation in the technology sector.
Speaking on the importance of youth empowerment, Chika Nwosu, Managing Director of PalmPay Nigeria, said: “Nigeria’s young population is one of its greatest assets, but unlocking its potential requires access to the right skills, knowledge and opportunities. At PalmPay, we are committed to equipping young Nigerians to learn, earn and thrive in an increasingly digital economy. We believe that investing in young people today is an investment in a stronger, more inclusive Nigeria.”
These initiatives reflect a broader belief that youth empowerment is most meaningful when young people are given the knowledge, exposure and opportunities to apply what they learn.
A graduate given workplace exposure today can become tomorrow’s business leader. A Corps member who develops sound financial habits can carry those lessons into their career and personal life. A young woman given access to professional opportunities can gain the confidence, experience, and networks to create opportunities for others.
Investing in young people is a great strategy for building a stronger, more productive, and more inclusive economy.
This International Youth Day, PalmPay reaffirms its commitment to investing in young Nigerians and contributing to a broader national ambition where the young population is not just counted, but equipped, employed, empowered, and positioned to lead.
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