The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has officially launched the National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria (NBAN), a policy initiative designed to expand internet access nationwide. The initiative targets key sectors, including schools, healthcare facilities, religious centers, and markets, in a bid to create a sustainable model for widespread broadband adoption.

NBAN aligns with Nigeria's National Broadband Plan (2020-2025) and the Strategic Blueprint from the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy. The initiative's goals include increasing broadband penetration from 44% in December 2024 to 70% by 2025, providing minimum data speeds of 25 Mbps in urban areas and 10 Mbps in rural areas, and boosting broadband investments by 300-500% by 2027.

The NBAN initiative adopts a collaborative approach, bringing together state governments, schools, hospitals, telecom operators, and infrastructure companies to drive broadband expansion across the country. The initiative starts with a pilot program in eight states: Edo, Ogun, Kwara, Katsina, Imo, Abia, Borno, and Nasarawa.

Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman of the NCC, emphasized the need for a holistic approach to achieve these goals, including strategic partnerships with donors, investors, and other key stakeholders in accelerating the roll-out of critical infrastructure. "Achieving these goals will require more than just the efforts of the private sector. It will require a holistic approach that includes strategic partnerships with donors, investors, and other key stakeholders in accelerating the roll-out of critical infrastructure," Maida said at the kick-off meeting in Lagos on Tuesday.

In a related development, the NCC approved a 50% tariff increase for telecom operators, with the condition that service quality must improve within three months of implementation. While the new tariffs are not yet in effect, operators are already preparing to comply with the NCC's requirements.

The NCC has also reportedly approved a roaming and spectrum-sharing agreement between MTN Nigeria and 9mobile. Under the agreement, 9mobile, Nigeria's fourth-largest telecom operator, will leverage MTN's nationwide infrastructure to improve its network coverage. This arrangement enables 9mobile subscribers to make calls, send messages, and use data services in areas where 9mobile lacks coverage. For MTN, the partnership offers profit-sharing opportunities and access to 9mobile's spectrum holdings, including the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2100 MHz bands.

Airtel Nigeria has also outlined plans to expand its network to more locations, upgrade existing sites, and enhance service delivery, according to CEO Dinesh Balsingh. However, meeting the NCC's three-month deadline could be a significant challenge. As of January 2025, Nigeria's internet penetration stands at 44%, significantly lower than South Africa and Egypt, which reported 74.7% and 72.2% penetration in 2024, respectively. Additionally, Nigeria struggles with low-speed internet deployment, with 4G penetration at 47% and 5G at just 2.4%, two years after its launch.

The country also struggles with high-speed internet deployment, with 4G penetration at 47% and 5G at 2.4% two years after it was launched. "Tariff increase is not all the problem that the industry faces," Gbenga Adebayo, President of the Association of Licenced Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria said at a telecom CEOs town hall last week. According to him, the 50% increase only allows the operators to recoup some of the revenue losses and fund infrastructure deployment in some underserved areas. Still, it does not address multiple taxation, vandalism of telecom infrastructure, and insecurity across the country.

Aminu Maida, NCC's executive vice chairman, believes the NBAN initiative can help address these challenges in three key ways: streamlining regulatory processes to expedite fibre deployment, creating incentives for private-sector investment in underserved areas, and launching public awareness campaigns to encourage broadband adoption and usage.

The launch of NBAN marks a significant step towards bridging the digital divide in Nigeria and achieving the country's broadband goals. As the initiative rolls out, it will be crucial to monitor its progress and assess its impact on the country's internet penetration and economic development.