Nigeria: Minister reiterates FG’s push for nationwide fibre expansion

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s plans to expand digital connectivity across Nigeria through the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of open-access fibre infrastructure, thousands of telecommunications towers and two communications satellites.

Tijani disclosed the plans while announcing his decision to withdraw from the race for Deputy Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), saying he would instead remain focused on implementing Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.

Government targets nationwide fibre infrastructure

The minister said Nigeria has an “unprecedented opportunity” to deliver a number of digital infrastructure projects, including Project BRIDGE, which is designed to deploy 90,000km of open-access fibre infrastructure across the country.

“Under the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Nigeria has an unprecedented opportunity to deliver several transformative projects including Project BRIDGE, which will deploy 90,000 kilometres of open-access fibre infrastructure nationwide,” Tijani wrote on LinkedIn.

The project is expected to significantly expand Nigeria’s existing fibre backbone, currently estimated at about 35,000km, to approximately 125,000km.

The additional infrastructure is planned to extend across all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.

The government has incorporated Bridge Open Access, a special-purpose company expected to manage the fibre infrastructure as a wholesale, open-access platform. The model is intended to enable telecommunications operators, internet service providers and other users to access and share the network infrastructure.

Fibre, mobile and satellite connectivity strategy

The Federal Government’s connectivity strategy combines different infrastructure layers to address varying connectivity needs across the country.

Fibre is expected to provide the high-capacity national backbone, while the National Connectivity Acceleration Programme will support the deployment of thousands of telecommunications towers to extend mobile services to underserved and unserved communities.

Satellite connectivity will complement terrestrial infrastructure in remote locations where conventional network deployment may be difficult or economically challenging.

Tijani said the government was also pursuing two new communications satellites as part of efforts to broaden coverage and strengthen the resilience of Nigeria’s communications infrastructure.

The minister further identified a national alphanumeric postcode system and Nigeria Web Design Standards among the initiatives being developed to improve digital infrastructure and public digital services.

Digital infrastructure central to transformation agenda

According to Tijani, the combination of these projects could have a lasting impact on Nigeria’s digital economy if successfully implemented.

“These initiatives, alongside many others receiving the President’s strong support, will have a sustainable impact on Nigeria’s digital economy and its people,” he said.

“Delivering them successfully will also advance the ITU’s mission of universal, meaningful and inclusive connectivity.”

The planned national alphanumeric postcode system is expected to provide homes and businesses with precise digital addresses, potentially supporting digital services and improving the identification and location of properties and businesses.

The wider infrastructure programme reflects the government’s approach of combining high-capacity fibre networks, mobile infrastructure and satellite technology to expand access to digital services across different parts of the country.

Tijani withdraws from ITU race

Tijani said his decision to withdraw from the contest for the ITU Deputy Secretary-General position was informed by the need to remain focused on delivering the Federal Government’s digital transformation programmes in Nigeria.

He said his priority would be to support President Tinubu’s digital economy agenda and ensure that the government’s major connectivity and technology initiatives are implemented effectively.

“My focus will therefore remain on supporting President Tinubu’s transformative digital economy agenda and ensuring that these critical programmes deliver enduring value for the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Tijani said.