• FG to deploy 90,000km fibre-optic network nationwide, says Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy
• 4,000 new communication towers planned for rural areas
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• Bill seeks to legalise e-documents and digital signatures
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has disclosed that no fewer than 20 million Nigerians still lack access to internet services across the country.
Tijani made this known on Monday during a public hearing on a bill seeking to mandate all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government to digitise their operations. The proposed law also aims to give electronic signatures and documents the same legal recognition as paper-based originals.
The session, jointly organised by the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on ICT and Cybersecurity and Digital and Information Technology, was held at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
In a statement signed by Dr. Bosun Tijani, the minister said the Federal Government, in collaboration with the National Assembly, is driving the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure to expand broadband connectivity across all geopolitical zones.
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“Together with the National Assembly, we are driving the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic network to connect every geopolitical zone, state, and local government with world-class internet access. Beyond this, we are addressing the needs of over 20 million unconnected Nigerians by deploying nearly 4,000 new communication towers in underserved communities,” Tijani said.
Despite being Africa’s largest economy and one of the continent’s fastest-growing digital markets, Nigeria continues to face a deep internet access gap, especially in rural and underserved regions.
Experts note that while major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt enjoy growing broadband penetration, remote areas in Kebbi, Taraba, Niger, Cross River, and parts of the South-east still struggle with poor or non-existent connectivity due to inadequate infrastructure, unreliable power supply, high data costs, and security challenges.
The ongoing collaboration between the Communications Ministry and the National Assembly is expected to accelerate Nigeria’s digital inclusion drive and strengthen the legal framework for e-governance nationwide.
