Topic:    Internet Penetration and Marginalized Groups

The Internet Penetration Rate corresponds to the percentage of the total population of a given country or region that uses the Internet. Nigeria’s Internet penetration has increased over the years, just as The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, says the number of internet users on the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) networks has increased from 76,322, 802 in 2014 to 81,892,840 in January 2015. Although this appears to be a significant progress, a lot still needs to be done especially in reaching out to marginalized groups in the country.

Unfortunately certain groups of people have been marginalized in the penetration process. The internet has tremendous potential to achieve greater social equity and empowerment and improve everyday life for those on the margins of society. Low- income families, rural areas and women, are the people mostly affected by this outcome, having less access to the internet and its benefits.

Dr John Dada addressed the issues around Broadband access and availability and gave recommendations. Check out the chat below in case you missed it

Dr John Dada, CEO of Fantsuam Foundation, was born in Jos, Nigeria and obtained a PhD in 1989 from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he was engaged in teaching and research up till 1994. He has worked as a research Fellow at the University of Leeds, UK where he also completed a Masters degree in Public Health and trained as a nurse. He is a member of the African Stakeholders Network – United Nations ICT Task Force, was chairperson of the African Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC), African Research for Information Society Emergence, the Open Knowledge Network, International Burden of Disease Network, and is leading Fantsuam Foundation’s rural connectivity program in promoting low powered computer solutions and affordable access. Currently serves as member of the the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG)