The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) says that the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) approval of its satellite internet broadband project will provide 90 per cent of Nigerians with affordable internet.

NASRDA spokesman Felix Ale disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja.

FEC approved the NASRDA project under the Regulatory Guidance of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) on November 30. The project will be under concession for 15 years, with expected revenue of N28 billion and 10,000 jobs, boost internet penetration and help fight insecurity.

The implementation of the project, Mr Ale said, would be in partnership with a leading global satellite communication equipment developer, Gilat Satellite Network and Gleo Technology.

“The project is basically on the design, finance, building, operation and transfer of a fast, affordable, reliable and high-speed fixed broadband internet based on advanced satellite technology, through a public-private partnership,” Mr Ale explained. “The project is designed as part of the solution towards meeting Nigeria’s aspiration of providing up to 90 per cent of Nigerians with fast, affordable, reliable, uninterrupted and high-speed fixed broadband internet at a price not more than N390 per gigabyte by 2025.”

According to him, the project will increase the fixed broadband penetration for Nigeria from its current abysmal level of 0.2 per cent to a minimum of 30 per cent.

He added that the project’s approval was in fulfilment of the presidential Executive Order No. 5 of 2018 aimed at promoting Nigerian content in contracts, science, engineering and technology as well as implementing the National Broadband Plan 2020-2025.

“This will help in job creation, close technology gaps, increase revenue generation to the nation and enhance Nigeria’s global recognition in the field of communication equipment manufacturing for improved security across Nigeria,” stated Mr Ale.

(NAN)