Whether you like it or not, Nigeria has attained 100% broadband penetration as Starlink begins operations in the nation. People, Elon Musk does technology miracles and right here, Nigeria benefited and Buhari as the president takes glory: “We are delighted that Starlink services have been deployed in Nigeria… With this deployment of Starlink, we now have 100 per cent broadband penetration in Nigeria”, the president noted on Twitter.
Nigeria became the first call for Starlink when the Elon Musk-founded company began operations on Monday.
The next phase is cost of acquisition and service. But under Gordon Moore observation – electronics improves in performance even as price drops over time – Starlink satellite systems will continue to drop in price even as performance improves. The implication is that even though it is relatively expensive right now, in Nigeria, overtime, it will come down to Naija level for all people!
Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 16 (Feb 10 – May 3, 2025) opens registrations; register today for early bird discounts.
Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations here.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and invest in Africa’s finest startups here.
To Mr. President, 100% is factual. But the details may not make economists happy since satellite signals over many roofs in Umuahia, Ife, Kano, Uyo, etc may not necessarily mean that most people can “downward” them for use, without big financial pockets. Yes, we need to empower citizens with better jobs and economic opportunities to enjoy the promises.
We are delighted that Starlink services have been deployed in Nigeria, making us the first African country — and the only one so far — to enjoy this rollout. With this deployment of Starlink, we now have 100 percent broadband penetration in Nigeria.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) February 2, 2023
Comment on Feed
Comment 1: I think this is where subsidy will be effective, however it may be unfair to current telecoms like Airtel and MTN in terms of competitive advantage.
Internet and Electricity can create unfathomable human capital development in Nigeria.
Another perspective can be the establishment of Internet hubs in rural areas without broadband penetrations where citizens can take turns to visit for Internet usage. With this, even without the presence of major telecoms, Internet can still be accessed. This can form part of constituency projects of national and state assemblies.
Comment 2: Clever play on words by the President and the Minister of communications (I assumed his complicity in this tweet…) here. To claim that we have 100% penetration is being clever by half.
---
Register for Tekedia Mini-MBA (Feb 10 - May 3, 2025), and join Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe and our global faculty; click here.
Politicians are not concerned with details, just give them a headline and they run with it. If you say the 100% broadband penetration is not correct, then go argue with your village people, they have told you their own.
It’s now left for those who care about details to turn the abstract into reality.