Omobola Johnson, Nigeria’s communication technology minister, has inaugurated the country’s Broadband Council, including representatives from Microsoft and Google.
In a statement Efem Akanga, special assistant to the minister, said members of the committee will be responsible for coming up with the method of implementing the recently developed and approved National Broadband Plan.
“The Terms of reference of the Broadband Council include providing periodic reports on the progress of the plan, facilitating the coordination and collaboration of the various stakeholders during plan implementation, ensuring that relevant agencies, institutions, and the general public are actively engaged,” said Akanga.
The council is chaired by Johnson while the other 19 members are drawn from institutions, government and individuals.
Institutions represented include the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), the Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) and the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria.
Akanga added: “Institutional representation is to ensure that the requirements of the industry are taken into consideration.”
Individuals on the council include two former co-chairmen of the recently concluded Presidential Committee on Broadband Ernest Ndukwe and Jim Ovia.
Google and Microsoft are also present on the council, in a bid to include international partners to advance the broadband agenda.
The Nigerian Communications Commission is also on the council.
