Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Prof. Isa Pantami announced that the Federal Government has approved a sum of N24.20 billion to provide broadband internet connections to at least 20 airports, 43 schools and six marketplaces across the country. The approval was confirmed after the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) and was disclosed to State House correspondents.
The selected airports—both local and international—are distributed across the six geopolitical zones, with an average of three airports per zone. In the Southwest, Lagos and Ondo will be equipped; the Southeast will see upgrades in Anambra and Enugu; the South‑South will include Port Harcourt and Akwa Ibom; the North‑Central will cover Abuja and Ilorin; the Northwest will benefit from projects in Kano, Sokoto and Kebbi; and the Northeast will see installations in Yola, Maiduguri and Gombe. The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) will implement the project, which aims to ensure reliable connectivity in airports, facilitate e‑learning in schools, and support mobile transactions in markets as the economy moves toward cashless operations.
The broadband initiative also extends to 43 higher institutions of learning at both federal and state levels, encompassing universities and polytechnics. This phase follows a 2022 approval that provided unlimited internet to 17 universities and one college of education. Pantami described the current effort as the second phase: N18.95 billion will fund broadband for the 20 airports and 43 educational institutions, while an additional N5.25 billion will cover six selected markets, supporting micro, small and medium enterprises. In total, 63 institutions will benefit from the N24.20 billion investment.
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