By Ibukun Emiola, News Agency of Nigeria
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Nigeria’s progress toward achieving its digital transformation goals is being hindered by unreliable and poor internet connectivity, affecting both individuals and businesses across the country.
Mrs. Asake Ayinde, a mother of three and content creator based in Ibadan, Oyo State, struggles to use WhatsApp and other online platforms due to frequent network disruptions. “It became nearly impossible to attend online courses or participate in Zoom meetings,” Ayinde shared, highlighting the broader challenge of weak mobile network services that also hinder basic communication.
Similarly, Mr. Gboyega Ayodeji, a resident of Ibadan, faces difficulties with digital banking due to poor connectivity. “I often have to visit the bank to complete transfers that should be simple via mobile apps if the internet were stable,” he explained.
For Mrs. Tolulope Laniya-Awolola in Abuja, delays in online banking and digital learning platforms have become routine. She mentioned, “The frustration of delayed transactions and the inability to access educational materials or attend live classes on time is becoming unbearable.”
Small business owners, such as Mr. Olubunmi Adeite and Mr. Bamidele Olatunde, also face challenges due to unreliable internet services. They operate education consultancy firms and rely heavily on stable connectivity to run operations like processing academic applications for overseas study. “Poor internet has hindered urgent transactions and affected the smooth running of business,” Adeite lamented.
Despite these challenges, the Nigerian government’s National Broadband Plan 2020-2025 aims to expand internet access, with a focus on increasing speeds to 25 Mbps in urban areas and 10 Mbps in rural regions, while ensuring that 90% of the population has internet access by 2025. The plan also aims to bring down data costs to N390 per 1 GB, making the internet more affordable for Nigerians.
However, with the 2025 deadline rapidly approaching, Nigeria is still far from achieving its digital connectivity targets. According to Tony Emoekpere, President of the Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), while internet subscriptions grew by 9.07% in 2023, broadband penetration remains at just 48.1%, falling short of the government’s 70% target for 2025.
“Urban areas like Lagos benefit from faster and more reliable internet, while rural regions still suffer from a lack of infrastructure,” Emoekpere explained. He also highlighted the need for increased investment in broadband infrastructure, urging the government to provide economic incentives and subsidies to make internet access more widespread and affordable.
In addition to infrastructure challenges, Emoekpere emphasized the importance of reliable power supply for telecom sites, suggesting partnerships with energy providers to reduce dependency on expensive backup systems like diesel generators.
Emoekpere concluded by advocating for greater digital literacy programs at the community level to ensure that more Nigerians can harness the power of the internet for education, business, and social inclusion.
As Nigeria approaches its ambitious digital transformation goals, addressing these connectivity challenges remains critical for the country’s growth and development.
