The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to invest $2 billion in deploying 90,000 kilometers of fibre optic infrastructure nationwide, starting in the fourth quarter of 2025. This initiative, known as Project Bridge, aims to enhance broadband access and digital connectivity, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, disclosed this development during an interview for an upcoming State House documentary marking President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office. He emphasized that the investment would ensure every Nigerian has access to affordable, high-quality connectivity, regardless of location. Dr. Tijani highlighted that increasing connectivity hubs by just 10% could yield a 2.5% GDP growth.
The project aligns with the National Broadband Plan’s goal of raising broadband penetration from 48% in 2024 to 90% by 2025. To bridge rural connectivity gaps, the government plans to deploy 7,000 new telecom towers, targeting 98% nationwide coverage. Additionally, 12 states have adopted zero-rated Right-of-Way policies to accelerate infrastructure deployment.
Dr. Tijani also noted significant growth in the digital sector, with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) surging from $22 million in Q1 2023 to $191 million in Q1 2024. He attributed this growth to foundational reforms, advancements in artificial intelligence, and the startup ecosystem, positioning Nigeria as a global leader in the digital economy.
The 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, launched in October 2023, has already trained over 117,000 Nigerians in digital skills, surpassing its initial target of 30,000. An additional 35,000 individuals are currently undergoing training. The programme aims to train three million Nigerians, creating a tech-savvy workforce to support the nation’s digital transformation.
Furthermore, the government has invested ₦300 million in 10 startups utilizing AI and blockchain to enhance agricultural productivity and funded 55 academic researchers to explore technology applications in agriculture, healthcare, and education. The launch of the AI Collective platform, supported by global partners including Pierre Omidyar, Google, and Microsoft, aims to foster collaboration and innovation in artificial intelligence.
These initiatives are part of the government’s broader strategy to transform Nigeria into a global digital powerhouse, with the digital economy’s contribution to GDP projected to rise from 16% to 22% by 2025.
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