Microsoft announced its partnership with the Nigerian Government via tweet. The tweet read “Microsoft has partnered with the Government of Nigeria to accelerate the nation’s efforts in becoming a more digital economy! The partnership is anchored on three pillars: Increased connectivity, Upskilling and job creation and Digital transformation”
Microsoft has partnered with the Government of Nigeria to accelerate the nation’s efforts in becoming a more digital economy! The partnership is anchored on three pillars: ✅Increased connectivity ✅Upskilling and job creation ✅Digital transformationhttps://t.co/18eSqShKOzpic.twitter.com/XUWDqP9v6Z
The partnership between Microsoft and the Nigerian Government is geared towards providing rural areas with internet connectivity through Microsoft’s Airband Initiative.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) asserts that Nigeria has a broadband penetration of 45 percent even though there is a strong argument that Nigeria’s broadband penetration is nothing next to the figures put out by the NCC. According to a report called the Digital Quality of Life report 2020, Nigeria took the position of 85th out of the 85 countries listed in the report, making it the country with the most expensive internet worldwide.
Dr. Isa Pantami; the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, while speaking at a recent virtual training conference organized by the World Bank revealed Nigeria’s new broadband plan. The new plan for Nigeria’s broadband for 2020-2025 will have download speed targets of a minimum of 25Mbps in urban areas and 10Mbps in rural areas. The new plan also promises to have an effective coverage that would be available to at least 90 percent of the country’s population by 2025 and at a price that doesn’t exceed 390 naira for 1GB of data. The Nigerian Government is trying to increase broadband penetration by all means. This collaboration with Microsoft could go a long way in increasing broadband penetration in the country.
The Vice President of Nigeria; Yemi Osibajo also shared news about the country’s collaboration with Microsoft via his twitter page. “Today I am delighted to announce some initiatives that the Nigerian Government will be embarking on with the Microsoft Corporation over the next few months”, his tweet read.
Today, I am delighted to announce some initiatives that the Nigerian government will be embarking on with the Microsoft Corporation over the next few months.
Explaining the partnership, the Vice President tweeted, “Microsoft’s extensive experience in the utilization of technology as an enabler for the delivery of public and social goods makes them an ideal partner…indeed, it is with this in mind that we have sought constructive partnerships that bridge the knowledge, skills and technology gap that exist in most of our communities”.
