Bosun Tijani’s internet access target at risk as rising taxes, costs squeeze telecom operators
- Internet access in Nigeria has declined from 45.57% to 43.53% since Bosun Tijani became Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
- Tijani's goals of training 3 million Nigerians on digital skills and creating an AI framework will be difficult to achieve without increasing internet access.
- Telecom operators face challenges such as fiber cuts, multiple taxes, excessive fees, insecurity, high energy costs, and inflation.
The decline in internet access in Nigeria is concerning and poses a significant challenge for the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy. Without addressing the issues of internet access, it will be difficult to achieve the goals of training millions of Nigerians on digital skills and creating an AI framework. The telecom operators are facing multiple challenges, including fiber cuts, taxes, fees, and high energy costs. The reintroduction of a telecom service tax and the financial struggles of companies like Airtel further complicate the situation. Urgent action is needed to improve internet infrastructure and address the obstacles faced by telecom operators.
