Manny Ita
The Federal Government of Nigeria has authorized the procurement of two new communication satellites as part of a strategic drive to modernize the nation’s digital infrastructure and expand broadband access. The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, confirmed the approval on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, during a press conference in Abuja marking Global Privacy Day. This development is intended to support President Bola Tinubu’s broader economic objective of growing Nigeria’s economy to $1 trillion by leveraging digital technology as a central pillar of national development.
Addressing the current technological landscape, Minister Tijani noted that Nigeria is presently the only country in West Africa without active communication satellites, a deficiency these new assets are designed to rectify. “Mr. President has been very clear about his ambition to build a $1 trillion economy, and digital technology is central to achieving that vision,” the Minister stated. He further clarified that the two new satellites would ensure that the country has the necessary connectivity to support this growth, moving away from a reliance on foreign digital assets.
In addition to the satellite acquisition, the Ministry reported significant progress on the 90,000-kilometre fiber optic backbone project, which remains a cornerstone of the national broadband strategy. Despite these advancements in the digital sector, other critical infrastructure areas face ongoing challenges; the national power grid suffered its second collapse of the month on January 27, prompting calls from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) for a comprehensive audit of the energy sector. As the government pivots toward high-tech solutions, the successful integration of these communication satellites is seen as a vital step in ensuring stable and sovereign digital services across the federation.
