Nigeria to Receive $3 Billion Telecom Infrastructure Boost to Bridge Digital Divide by 2025

Nigeria is set to receive a massive telecommunications infrastructure investment valued at $3 billion by June 2025 in a strategic push to strengthen its digital economy and improve nationwide internet access. The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, made this announcement during the Nigeria Development Update (NDU) event hosted by the World Bank. This development marks one of the most significant digital infrastructure projects in the country’s history, with the potential to impact millions of underserved Nigerians.

Major Boost for Nigeria’s Broadband Backbone

According to Dr. Tijani, the infrastructure comprises $1 billion worth of telecommunications equipment and $2 billion in fibre optic cables. These assets are expected to significantly enhance Nigeria’s broadband network, which remains underdeveloped outside urban areas. The initiative is part of a broader partnership between the federal government and the World Bank, aimed at securing long-term investments in the digital sector. Speaking at the panel, Tijani stressed the importance of digital connectivity, stating, “We all need quality access regardless of our location.” He emphasized that the fibre optic backbone would lay the foundation for fast, reliable internet service, a critical component for economic growth, e-learning, e-governance, and digital inclusion in Nigeria.

Expanding Access to 20 Million Underserved Nigerians

A critical part of the infrastructure rollout will be the pilot phase targeting over 20 million Nigerians who currently lack any form of telecommunications access. These communities, mostly in rural and underserved regions, have historically remained disconnected due to cost barriers and poor infrastructure. The project aims to bridge this connectivity gap by expanding broadband services and ensuring inclusive access to technology, which aligns with Nigeria’s Digital Economy Agenda. This agenda focuses on leveraging technology to empower citizens, promote innovation, and improve service delivery across sectors. By targeting rural inclusion, the government hopes to reduce the urban-rural digital divide and create more opportunities for remote learning, health services, and entrepreneurship.

Challenges of Infrastructure and Fibre Optic Protection

Despite the optimism, Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure faces persistent threats, particularly fibre optic cable cuts. In 2023 alone, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) recorded over 50,000 such incidents. A significant number of these, around 30,000, were attributed to road construction and related activities by federal and state agencies. These cable disruptions have led to major network outages, including the nationwide service interruption experienced by MTN in February 2024. Recognizing the economic and social costs of such disruptions, the Federal Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Communications have formed a Joint Standing Committee on the Protection of Fiber Optic Cables. This committee is tasked with safeguarding critical infrastructure and developing policies to mitigate damage during construction works. The success of this $3 billion initiative hinges not only on deploying technology but also on protecting it. As Tijani rightly stated, the backbone of the digital economy lies in robust, uninterrupted infrastructure that can support the increasing demand for internet-based services in Nigeria.