The Nigerian government is set to on leverage NigComSat-1R, to deepen broadband penetration in the country and the government is to train 600 Nigerian youths on VSAT installations and core skills
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami stated this today in Abuja during the official launch of the National Policy on Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) installation core Skills for Nigerians and flag-off of the Policy implementation through the training of 600 youth nationwide.
Dr. Isa Pantami stated that NigComSat-1R is a critical national infrastructure that the government wants to leverage on to deepen broadband connectivity and serve the underserved and rural communities.
“The Nigerian Satellite (NigComSat–1R) is one of the critical national (solid) infrastructure under the purview of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy that can be leveraged to deepen broadband penetration and to deliver Direct to Home (DTH) Services in the country,” he said.
According to the Minister, broadband connectivity plays a critical role in the development of our digital economy. “We are developing skill acquisition policies for the various infrastructure required to drive the digital economy.
According to Satellite Market & Research publication, VSAT market is getting more prevalent in several emerging economies, particularly in Asia Pacific and Latin America, which are undertaking initiatives to digitalize their economies to compete with their developed competitors.”
Dr. Pantami however said “this can only be actualized through the deployment of Very Small Aperture terminals (VSAT). Further digital content is also delivered to homes via the Television Receive Only (TVRO) antennas and decoders. To effectively deploy Satellite-based services, training and re-training of Nigerians on VSAT installation, TVRO Antenna Installation and configuration of Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) is therefore required to enhance the process.”
He stated that “Addressing the capacity gap in the delivery of satellite-based services is therefore now considered as an urgent imperative to improve the quality of life in communities, especially in remote and rural areas where most of the population are situated.
“This programme would provide the required specialized skills for the promotion and deployment of satellite-based services in Nigeria. Nigerians would be equipped with the necessary skills to be able to install a VSAT and TVRO antenna anywhere to access all available satellite-based services.
“At the first instance we are commencing the Policy Implementation in the six-geo political zones with 600 youths that will benefit and become certified after the programme and subsequently we will continue this training until we achieve the required human resource needed for the growing satellite industry in Nigeria,” he reiterated.
The Minister disclosed that the first phase of the training will take place in two states in each of the geopolitical zones: states: North West: Kano and Kebbi, North East, Gombe and Bauchi
North Central: Niger and Plateau, while South West: Ekiti and Lagos, South East: Abia and Anambra and South-South: Rivers and Akwa Ibom States
“Our goal is to ensure the communication satellite industry is empowered and strengthened to be at par with other global leading satellite industries through enabling policies for the benefit of Nigerians,” he added.
The Chairman Board of Directors, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, NigComSat Ltd, Yusuf Kazure in his speech said, “when Nigeria as a nation is leveraging on the digital technologies to drive government digital services, optimising the communications infrastructure for national economic development and digital innovation to create value and prosperity.”
Director-General, NigComSat, Abimbola Alale, thanked Dr. Pantami and the ministry for the support they have been giving the agency. She also used the opportunity to appreciate her staff and the board chairman NigComSat Ltd.
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