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Telecom

Nigerians Thirsty in Ocean of Broadband Internet

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Eugene Juwah, EVC, NCC
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As it stands today, the available bandwidth in Nigeria is potentially infinite. In fact, it is safer to say that Nigeria is swimming in an ocean of bandwidth with the avalanche of undersea cable systems, each with landing points on the shores of the country.

However, many Nigerians are still without a drop of the roaring ocean; they still have to contend with unreliable, slow and very expensive internet services.

This is a typical case of starving in the midst of plenty. Those that do not have broadband access wonder why so much emphasis is placed on availability and why Internet access is so important.

The white noise about broadband internet began with the ambitious projects launched by Main One and Glo 1; Two home grown companies driven by patriotism to make internet truly ubiquities and affordable.

Elsewhere, the West African Cable System (WACS), an initiative operated by nine countries (including Nigeria’s MTN Group) joined the fray.

Before the flood of undersea cable systems, the only cable system serving Nigeria’s internet and data needs was the SAT-3/WASC or South Atlantic 3/West Africa Submarine Cable.

There is also the ACE submarine cable system covering Nigeria and other countries.  ACE submarine cable system is also among these, a carrier that covers Nigeria and other countries.   

Even with the arrival of some of these cable systems, most Nigerians are still without access to cheaper internet services because the absence of “so-called” last mile infrastructure, which can distribute the bandwidth.

Last mile infrastructure is that transmission infrastructure telecommunications operators use to deliver services to potential subscribers at their domains.

Basically, infrastructure required in this regard includes optic fiber and microwave.

Apart from the absence of last mile infrastructure, the obstacles confronting broadband penetration in Nigeria are legion.

They include, lack of policy framework for broadband infrastructure development; Nigeria’s notoriously unreliable power supply; claim of right of ways by local and state governments; and multiple regulation and taxation.

As a matter of fact, about 70 per cent of the problems encountered by the telecom sector with its broad implications for development of broadband infrastructure are public power supply related.

The recent activities and threat of the Boko Haram, the Islamist fundamentalist sect in the northern parts of the country has also conspired to limit investments in some places in the region.

Broadband is the next big thing and Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind.

Nigeria needs to break through the policy and environmental barriers for broadband deeper penetration.

Broadband represents huge opportunities for social and economic progress of Nigeria because it facilitates the delivery of more effective healthcare, banking, better education, smoother and more transparent governance, sustainable environment, more efficient transportation, national security, as well as, smarter and more economical energy supplies.

The government should release the digital dividend spectrum to deliver broadband services to rural areas and reduce the tax level faced by Nigerian mobile operators.


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

Telecom

Meta, FMCIDE Unveil AI Accelerator to Drive Innovation in Nigeria

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Meta, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy (FMCIDE), has launched the Llama Impact Accelerator Program to foster AI-driven solutions across critical sectors in Nigeria.

The eight-month program will support early-stage startups developing AI innovations using Meta’s open-source Llama models. Target sectors include Agriculture, Security & Safety, Healthcare, and a wildcard category for other high-impact applications.

Speaking at the launch, Sade Dada, Head of Public Policy, Anglophone West Africa at Meta, emphasized the initiative’s role in advancing Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. “We are thrilled to partner with FMCIDE in supporting local AI talent. Open-source AI should be accessible and relevant to national challenges,” she said.

The program will begin with a six-week incubation period, offering technical training and mentorship from industry experts, followed by six months of extended support, including access to technical resources.

Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, hailed the initiative as a “major step forward” in Nigeria’s AI development strategy. “AI will be a key driver of national growth, and this program equips innovators with the tools to tackle pressing issues,” Tijani stated.

The Llama Impact Accelerator aligns with Meta’s broader mission to democratize responsible AI access while fostering innovation in emerging markets.

In collaboration with academic and government stakeholders, the initiative is expected to accelerate Nigeria’s AI industry and drive impactful change.

Applications for the program remain open until June 27, 2025. More details can be found at llamaimpactssa.splashthat.com.


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Telecom

Nigeria Leads the Charge in Green Innovation @MTN’s Africa PachiPanda Challenge

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In an era where climate change, youth unemployment, and food insecurity loom large over the continent, a powerful new force is rising — young African innovators building a green future from the ground up.

At the just-concluded Africa PachiPanda Challenge 2024, organised by MTN and WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), Nigerian entrepreneur, Olabisi Rafatu Emmanuel, emerged as one of the continent’s top eco-champions, spotlighting the potential of purpose-driven innovation to rewrite Nigeria’s climate and development story.

While Moses Afopezi of Cameroon took home the top prize with AgricFresh, a smart solution combating post-harvest loss, Olabisi’s reusable menstrual products solutions as a waste transformation model earned her national applause and a seat at Africa’s sustainability table, emerging as the second-place winner.

Speaking during the announcement, MTN’s leadership underscored that this challenge goes far beyond accolades. “Together, we have the power to shape a greener, more sustainable Africa — one bold idea at a time,” Nompilo Morafo, Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, MTN, said.

The triumph comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with the environmental menace of climate change in major urban hubs like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, even as the Nigerian government is clamouring for smart innovations to address climate change issues such as climate funding, carbon trading and just energy transition.

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) recently reiterated calls for tech-based waste management solutions – making Olabisi’s innovation timely and impactful.

MTN says this is just the beginning. With plans to expand the PachiPanda Challenge to more countries and deepen support for eco-entrepreneurs, the telecoms giant is reaffirming its commitment to socio-economic development through green innovation.

As Nigeria sets its sights on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, the PachiPanda story is a timely reminder that the answers may lie not in government halls – but in the dreams and drive of Nigeria’s young changemakers.


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Innovation Will Shape Nigeria’s Digital Economy – A’isha Mumuni

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MTN Nigeria has convened alumni of its Media Innovation Programme (MIP) for an interactive training session on digital monetisation in Nigeria’s Value-Added Services (VAS) sector.

The hybrid event, themed “Understanding Digital Monetisation: Opportunities in the VAS Space in Nigeria,” was led by A’isha Umar Mumuni, Chief Digital Officer, MTN Nigeria. Participants explored evolving digital revenue models, including mobile payments, subscription billing, and telco-backed content partnerships.

Mumuni emphasized the growing significance of digital innovation. “Innovation is the currency of the future,” she stated. She cited projections indicating Nigeria’s potential emergence as the world’s fifth-largest economy by 2075, with the digital economy at the forefront of this growth.

The session spotlighted MTN Nigeria’s role in enabling content creators through platforms such as Callertunes, MTN Play, and digital storefronts. Participants were grouped into breakout sessions where they pitched digital product ideas, fostering creativity and strategic thinking.

According to industry figures, Nigeria’s digital economy contributed 18.44 percent to GDP as of Q2 2022, with ICT revenue soaring from ₦51.3 billion to ₦594 billion over a decade. Global digital services revenue reached an estimated $2.58 trillion in 2024, driven by advertising, paid content, and internet access.

Now in its fourth year, MTN Nigeria’s MIP continues to equip media professionals with the knowledge and tools to thrive in a digital-first economy. The company reaffirmed its commitment to supporting its alumni through curated development sessions that empower media practitioners in Nigeria.

For further details on the MIP programme and upcoming alumni engagements, visit www.mtnmip.smc.edu.ng.


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