Digital Economy: Why FEC approves N24.2bn free Internet for airports, institutions, MSMEs -Pantami

*Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, explains how the Federal Government will implement the Broadband connectivity projects through the Nigerian Communications Commission for Internet services at selected airports, higher institutions of learning, and some markets in order to support MSMEs in the economy

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As part of the Federal Government’s proactive measures to deepen Broadband penetration and further activate the Nigeria Digital Economy, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved two contracts worth N24.20 billion for provision of free broadband Internet connectivity in 75 public places, including 20 airports, tertiary institutions and markets nationwide.

Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, Honourable Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, revealed the decision after the FEC meeting President Muhammadu Buhari chaired Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in the State House, Abuja, FCT.

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ConsumerConnect reports Prof. Pantami stated: “President Buhari has approved two memos for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

“In these two memos, certain intervention projects are going to be implemented by the Federal Government, through NCC, of providing Internet in 20 selected airports in Nigeria and higher institutions of learning, and also some markets to support micro, small and medium enterprises.”

The Minister also said: “The two memos are related. Memo number one is the award of a contract for the provision of Broadband in some selected domestic and international airports. “Twenty of them are going to be covered in the first phase of the project.

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“In each geopolitical zone, you have about three airports.”

Pantami further explained that “all these airports are going to be covered and the Federal Government will provide Broadband for free to passengers that are coming through the airports.

“So, in both memos, you will discover that they will provide Broadband to these institutions at the price of approximately N24.20 billion, and the project is going to be implemented by NCC.

“The duration for the project is four months minimum and maximum of five months, and there is a budgetary provision for that.”