Problem: The monopoly of the state-owned Nigeria Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) meant that this sector was characterised by inefficiency, ineffectiveness, fraud, lack of access and a complete lack of focus on service delivery to citizens.
Reform Actions:
- Privatisation of the telephone industry
- Auction of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) licences in 2001
- Creation of a new Ministry of Communication Technology in 2011.
Main Achievements: The percentage of Nigerians with mobile phones has increased from 8.5% in 2004 to 93% in 2013. Teledensity has increased from 0.04 per 100 people in 1999 to 100 in 2014. Telephone subscription has grown from 500,000 in 1999 to 134 million in 2014, showing a tremendous growth of 16,000%. Access to internet is rising and the reforms have brought about an appreciable reduction in the cost of governance. Also, increased competition has brought about a reduction in the cost to customers.
Key Challenges:
(a) access to the Internet is still low at 38%;
(b) Nigerian ICT industry is heavily dominated by foreign companies;
(c) call quality remains poor across all networks; and
(d) government Internet provision through Galaxy Broadband is poor.
Reference: Public Service Reforms in Nigeria (1999-2014) - A Comprehensive Review
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