Students,lecturers and visitors to the Univerisity of Ibadan and Oke Ogun Polythecnic,Saki, as well as passengers at the Ibadan Airport, all in Oyo State, will soon begin to enjoy free and unlimited Internet access, courtesy of the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) N41.6Billion Broadband Connectivity Programme for tertiary institutions,airports and markets in the country.
They are part of the beneficiaries of the second phase of the programme who received their letters yesterday from the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy,Prof Isa Ali Pantami, at a colourful event in Abuja.
The programme is to provide free internet access at the nation’s tertiary institutions,airports, and market as part of an integral programme to boost the digital economy in the country. Under the scheme, telephone subscribers have free and unlimited internet connectivty in their locations. A total of 49 tertiary institutions , 20 airports, and six markets across the 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory are benefitting from the scheme.
The College of Education(Special),Oyo and Bodija market, Ibadan were beneficiaries of the first phase of the programme in Oyo State.
In his comment at the occasion, Chairman of the NCC,Professor Adeolu Akande, explained that the programme is designed to produce a population of Nigerians that will be active stakeholders in the digital economy. He said the extension of the facilities to the universities and other tertiary institutions will promote research, enhance teaching, and make students learn more efficiently even as the broadband connectivity makes their social life more active and productive.
