FG shows interest in $2bn broadband expansion
President Bola Tinubu
FG shows interest in $2bn broadband expansion
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s broadband infrastructure, highlighting a $2 billion investment in fibre optic cables aimed at improving nationwide internet connectivity.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Monday.
Speaking in Abuja while receiving a report from participants of the Senior Executive Course 46 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, the President underscored the importance of digital infrastructure in driving economic growth, job creation, and youth empowerment.
The report, titled “Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities,” presented an eight-point recommendation to the federal government, urging the expedited enactment of the Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill 2024 and the waiver of Right of Way fees to accelerate telecom infrastructure deployment.
Responding to the report, Tinubu reiterated his administration’s focus on leveraging technology to empower the youth and create sustainable jobs.
“At the core of our administration is youth empowerment. We cannot relent on that, and we need everyone’s collaboration,” Tinubu said.
“I have listened carefully to your recommendations and the thorough work you did. We will continue to engage the Institute as a resource centre and Think Tank.”
Providing further details on the broadband expansion initiative, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, stated that the federal government had approved a $2 billion investment into 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables, making it one of the largest broadband infrastructure projects in Africa.
“This project will have the third-longest fibre network in Africa, following South Africa and Egypt,” Tijani said.
He noted that significant progress had been made, with support from the Ministry of Finance and a $500 million commitment secured from the World Bank.
Tijani also revealed that Nigeria is on track to become one of the first countries in Africa to fully migrate from IPv4 to IPv6, ensuring better internet connectivity and security.
On the Right of Way fees, the Minister disclosed that 11 states have so far responded to the federal government’s request to waive the charges, a move aimed at reducing the cost of broadband expansion and enhancing internet penetration across the country.
In his remarks, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, highlighted the growing role of the ICT sector in Nigeria’s economy, revealing that the industry contributed 16% to the country’s GDP in 2024.
“We are prioritising the ICT sector as a key driver of economic stability and job creation,” Edun said.
He also referenced Tinubu’s recent engagement with Flutterwave’s CEO, where the company pledged to support Nigerian youth and small businesses through technology-driven solutions.
“Flutterwave is considering listing on Nigeria’s Stock Exchange, and we expect this to strengthen the tech and payments ecosystem further,” he added.
While presenting their recommendations, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, the Director-General of NIPSS, emphasised the need for targeted policies to address infrastructural deficits, digital skill gaps, and regulatory challenges.
“We recognise that in an era where technology drives innovation, Nigeria must aggressively leverage its youthful population to build a thriving ecosystem,” he stated.
He called for long-term funding for the 3 Million Technical Talent programme, the establishment of Digital Health Innovation Hubs, and the adoption of a Quintuple-Helix Model to promote digital transformation.
President Tinubu assured the stakeholders that his administration would take decisive steps to implement key recommendations, directing the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy to coordinate with the NIPSS team for streamlined execution.
“You are an asset to our country, and I thank the participants for their dedication to their studies. We will continue to collaborate with you for the prosperity of our country,” Tinubu said.
As Nigeria pushes forward with its digital transformation agenda, stakeholders remain optimistic that the federal government’s commitment to broadband expansion, digital skills development, and startup ecosystem support will help unlock the full potential of the nation’s digital economy.
