CITAD has warned that rising internet data costs in Nigeria will worsen the digital divide, leaving underserved communities without access to essential online services. The recent 50% tariff hike on data, call, and SMS by the NCC poses significant challenges, especially for students and marginalized groups. CITAD proposes urgent policy action and support for community networks to address these issues.
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has expressed grave concerns regarding the surging costs of internet data in Nigeria, highlighting a detrimental impact on the country’s digital gap. The rising data prices threaten to further isolate underserved communities from essential online services. Haruna Adamu Hadeija, the Coordinator of Community Network at CITAD, raised these issues in a press briefing in Kano, emphasizing the need for immediate attention to this growing crisis.
Hadeija indicated that the Nigerian Communications Commission’s recent approval of a 50% increase in data, call, and SMS tariffs has exacerbated the difficulties faced by communities already struggling with inadequate connectivity. He stated, “Now that data charges have been jerked up by 50%, students and parents in underserved areas have to ‘dearly’ pay to enable their children to learn online.” This steep hike is constraining access to digital education, posing significant challenges for families in marginalized areas.
Despite some progress in expanding internet access, a 2022 report by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) indicated that approximately 27.91 million individuals across 97 underserved communities lack internet connectivity. This exclusion particularly impacts students, youths, and women, forcing families in remote regions to send their children far for registration and examination purposes, which Hadeija described as “unfair.”
In light of these issues, Hadeija urged the Minister for Digital Economy to formally acknowledge community networks as key contributors to addressing connectivity challenges in Nigeria. He emphasized the necessity for grants from the USPF to assist local communities in establishing their own connectivity initiatives, stating, “These community networks are not competitors to Mobile Network Operators (MNOs); they are complementary solutions to bridge the existing connectivity gap.”
Moreover, CITAD proposed the implementation of capacity-building programs aimed at empowering local communities to achieve resource mobilization and sustainability, fostering self-sufficient, community-focused networks for enhanced digital access.
In summary, CITAD has raised significant concerns regarding the rising costs of internet data in Nigeria, which threaten to exacerbate the existing digital divide. The increased tariffs approved by the NCC make it increasingly difficult for marginalized communities to access essential online services. Urgent policy interventions and support for community networks are necessary to address this widening gap and empower local populations.
Original Source: dailypost.ng
