Saki-born minister of communication, Adebayo Shittu, said the government will ensure that internet accessibility for everyone.
According to Premium Times, Shittu stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at a one-day stakeholders workshop on the role of the Public Internet Access for Economic Development.
He said the federal government will ensure free access to the internet in public places across Nigeria.
“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.
“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.
Last year, InsideOyo.com reported that how Google planned to launched free internet across cities by 2019 after launching its Google Stations – a free Wi-Fi in Lagos and Abuja.
Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo had asked Google Nigeria to extend its free Wi-Fi service to modern Gbagi market to help business owners transact easily and freely.
