Nigeria is preparing to embark on one of its most ambitious infrastructure projects yet, with the federal government set to begin the rollout of a 90,000-kilometre fibre optic network that will extend broadband access across the country.
The network, expected to begin physical deployment within the next few weeks, will reach all six geopolitical zones, every state, all 774 local government areas and wards, creating a stronger backbone for faster and more reliable internet services.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, announced the development after briefing the President at the State House in Abuja on the progress of three flagship initiatives under his ministry.
According to the minister, all resource mobilisation and contractual processes have been completed, clearing the way for construction to begin.
"We're now at the point where, in a few weeks, we should start to lay that fibre; so people will start seeing us around the country deploying the fibre. This is going to transform Nigeria for good," Tijani said.
He added that the project would provide fibre optic infrastructure to every geopolitical zone, state, local government area and ward, significantly improving broadband coverage and internet quality nationwide.
The minister linked the progress to a series of reforms introduced by the federal government, including the designation of digital infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure, adjustments to telecommunications tariffs and tax harmonisation measures long sought by industry operators.
According to Tijani, the reforms have strengthened the communications sector, whose contribution to Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has risen from between 16 and 18 per cent when the administration took office to nearly 21 per cent today.
The government is also working to extend mobile network coverage to underserved communities. Tijani disclosed that deployment of about 3,700 telecommunications towers will begin around October after months of planning and capital mobilisation. The project is expected to bring telecom services to more than 20 million Nigerians who currently lack adequate network access.
"Today we're at a point where, before the end of the year, we'll also start to deploy close to 3,700 towers. It's taken a lot to put this project together and raise the required capital, but we are now ready to begin deployment around October," he said.
Another milestone will come on October 1 when Nigeria officially launches an alphanumeric postcode system. Tijani said the initiative will place the country among a select group of nations with an advanced digital addressing system.
Together, the nationwide fibre rollout, new telecommunications towers and the alphanumeric postcode system reflect Nigeria's continued investment in infrastructure that can support innovation, expand access to digital services and unlock new economic opportunities.
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