Nigeria’s broadband penetration rose to 44.5 percent in the month of July, moving closer to its record peak of 45.9% attained in October 2020.
In 2020, broadband usage rose globally during the restriction imposed by various governments to curtail the spread of Covid-19. Many Nigerian businesses were forced to take their business online to sustain operations and retain customers despite zero movements.
According to the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) in its 2020 report; “The increase in data usage is directly linked to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic which disrupted normal activities and most functions had to be held virtually including schools, and corporate meetings among others”
“The pandemic altered the way and manner business activities were hitherto carried out globally. The year 2020 witnessed a significant surge in data usage,” the report stated.
However, after the government eased movement and opened up the economy, broadband usage began to slip. In July 2021, it declined to 39.8 percent from a peak of 45.9 percent recorded in October 2020.
The decline continued all through 2021. The government policy on SIM card registration partly contributed to the decline as telecommunication operators lost subscribers during the period.
Broadband usage nonetheless started to witness recovery around August 2021 as it increased to 41 percent. It reached 44.5 percent in July and is now on its way to its all-time high at 45.9 percent.
Meanwhile, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) Umaru Dambata says the commission is on course to meet its target of 70 percent broadband penetration by 2025.
He further stated that the commission will make sure it designs a proactive regulatory framework that will strengthen the telecommunication industry and combat the harms that might come with technological advancements in the coming years.
Nigeria Communication Commission is the government agency empowered to promote and regulate the telecommunication industry. It also has the mandate to protect the interest of telecommunication consumers in Nigeria.