Adebayo Shittu, minister of Communications, has said
that the federal government will ensure free access to the internet in
public places across Nigeria.
Mr Shittu said this in Abuja at a
one-day stakeholders workshop on the role of the Public Internet Access
for Economic Development.
“We are trying to ensure the vision of
free Wi-Fi all over, particularly in public spaces, at the airport,
schools and all that,” Mr. Shittu said on Tuesday.
Mr. Shittu
said the government had been trying to ensure that internet
accessibility is made available not just for privileged Nigerians but
everyone.
“The Federal Ministry of Communication will ensure the
privacy of beneficiaries of the free internet services is protected,” he
said.
He said for this to be a reality, more investments are
needed because the government alone cannot handle the financial
responsibilities involved.
Mr. Shittu listed some of the
challenges faced by the government in providing free internet services
to include high cost of access, low broadband penetration, poor internet
infrastructure, and poor enabling environment.
“The solutions to these challenges are beyond government’s intervention,” he said.
“In
order to bridge the existing digital divide and encourage more
Nigerians to participate in the global digital economy, private
organisations and international partners are encouraged to support the
government in different strategic ways.
“One of the models being
adopted recently is the provision of free internet access by Public
Internet Access Providers (PIAPs) in strategic locations to help more
Nigerians connect to the internet in pursuit of social and developmental
objectives for a return on investment (ROI) through advertisement or
other means.
“This is expected to fuel some changes especially in creating jobs and help local SMEs compete with global brands.”