Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has announced that the Nigerian government is set to begin installing a 90,000-kilometre fibre optic network. This infrastructure project aims to expand broadband internet access to every state, local government area, and ward across the country.
Speaking at the presidential villa in Abuja after meeting with President Bola Tinubu, Tijani confirmed that contracts are finalized and deployment will commence within weeks. The minister stated that this initiative is expected to significantly enhance the nation’s connectivity and overall digital quality.
During the briefing, Tijani acknowledged the impact of recent government policies, such as the classification of digital assets as Critical National Infrastructure and tax reforms. He noted that these measures have contributed to the digital sector’s growth, which has risen from 16-18 percent to approximately 21 percent of the national GDP.
The ministry also plans to address connectivity gaps in rural areas. Starting in October, the government will deploy nearly 3,700 telecommunications towers to provide coverage for over 20 million citizens currently lacking service. Furthermore, Nigeria is preparing to implement an alphanumeric postcode system on October 1. This system will assign a unique identifier to every property in the country, a move designed to bolster e-commerce, improve security, and streamline the delivery of public services.
