Telecom infrastructure: Nigeria gets UK’s support on Right of Way

The British Government through its Prosperity Fund’s Digital Access Programme has pledged support to Nigeria on issue of Right of Way (RoW) for telecom infrastructure. It also said it would help promote inclusive and sustainable digital access to unserved and underserved communities in Nigeria. The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing disclosed these at […]

The British Government through its Prosperity Fund’s Digital Access Programme has pledged support to Nigeria on issue of Right of Way (RoW) for telecom infrastructure.

It also said it would help promote inclusive and sustainable digital access to unserved and underserved communities in Nigeria.

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing disclosed these at first Nigeria Technical Conference on the Right of Way (RoW) held virtually Thursday.

Speaking at the virtual event, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing said the UK is keen to support the promotion of affordable, inclusive, safe and secure digital access for underserved or excluded populations.“

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) who gave the keynote address said Nigeria has in the last 1 year added 10% to the broadband penetration level in the country.

He said RoW reforms is the key to unlocking Nigeria’s digital economy for inclusive digital growth “and we have worked with the Nigerian Governors Forum to achieve some important results already.”

Reacting to the technical study and the next steps on, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Communications Commission, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, represented by the Executive Commissioner Stakeholder Management (ECSM), Mr. Adeleke Adewolu said the Technical Assistance on RoW reforms will assist to deepen broadband penetration.

The virtual forum is one of the key deliverable of the UK’s Technical Assistance project on RoW, which was initiated in April 2020 to assess the existing strategy, charging regime and measure that against economic development indicators.