British High Commissioner Seeks Increased Access to Internet for Nigeria’s Digital Economy

Catriona Laing, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, said the country needs a combination of, increased access to safe, affordable, faster and better quality internet, an encouraging regulatory environment, a skilled talent pool, and access to investment and partnership opportunities.

She stated this at the graduation of about 2,400 girls trained in digital skills through the ‘DigiGirls Digital Empowerment’ programme of CyberSafe Foundation across Nigeria.

DigiGirls Digital Empowerment is a UK-supported programme that equipped girls on digital skills like Digital Marketing, E-Commerce, Data Analytic and Graphic Design, among other skills that would enable them to have access to gainful employment within and outside Nigeria.

According to her; “Through the Digital Access Programme, we are working with the Federal Government, state governments and policy makers on removing systemic barriers to connectivity expansion – for example the Right of Way charges that make laying broadband more expensive.

“We are pleased to say that a number of states have reduced or ended these charges all together, which is excellent progress, and we would encourage other states to consider doing the same.

“We have also worked with the Federal Government to roll-out a 5-year national broadband plan that will help expand the Nigeria’s broadband connectivity from the current 38% penetration to 75%, by 2025.

“Working with our partner the KPMG, we are also providing technical support and capacity building on cybersecurity for Nigeria including work to develop a cybersecurity toolkit for the millions of Small and Medium Enterprises across Nigeria.

Speaking on what the British government is doing to support Nigeria to close the gender gap in digital skills, she said: “The UK supports Nigeria in its bold ambition to create 100m jobs in 10 years and we believe that the Digital Economy can play a major part in unlocking this.

“Improving girls’ access to education is a key part of the UK’s G7 Presidency and is at the heart of global efforts to build back better from the pandemic.

“That is why we are pleased to be here today at the graduation of the first cohort of 2400 women and girls who benefited from the Digi-Girls project.

“We are also delighted that, as announced last month by the UK’s Minister for Africa, during her visit to Nigeria, we are able to expand this project to directly benefit an additional 4000 women, and reach a further 10,000 women through the train the trainer approaches.

“We believe that such programmes will help in addressing the digital inequality in Nigeria – that currently holds a 15 percent gender gap against women,” Laing said.