Nigerian Government Launch $2 Billion Initiative to Connect 774 Local Government Areas with Fiber Optic Network

The Federal Government revealed on Wednesday its plan to launch a $2 billion fund aimed at connecting all of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas through fiber optics. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, the initiative seeks to enhance internet connectivity nationwide.

According to Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, the project received pledges from various institutions, including a commitment of $200 million from the African Development Bank. Other donors include the World Bank, the African Export and Import Bank, and the United States Export and Import Bank.

During a briefing with State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, Dr. Tijani disclosed that the pilot phase of the project will commence in eight states, namely Imo, Kogi, and Zamfara, among others.

The expansion of Nigeria’s broadband access aligns with the Ministry’s vision outlined in a white paper published in January 2024. The document emphasises the importance of deploying fiber optic cables across the country to achieve a 70 percent broadband penetration target by 2025.

To address disparities in connectivity and foster digital inclusion, the Ministry proposed the establishment of the National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria.

This collaborative effort aims to drive broadband development and support digital transformation across various sectors, including education, healthcare, finance, e-commerce, and e-governance.

Furthermore, Dr. Tijani highlighted the strategic partnerships with organisations like the African Development Bank, the World Bank, and private sector investors to facilitate the project’s implementation.

He emphasised the potential economic and social benefits of improved internet access, including enhanced education, healthcare delivery, and market access for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

In addition to the fiber optic connectivity initiative, the Federal Government, in collaboration with the World Trade Organisation, is embarking on a digital trade facilitation program. This program aims to leverage digital infrastructure to boost e-commerce trading for MSMEs, improve market access, and enhance productivity in line with global trade trends.

The ‘Project 774 LG Connectivity’ initiative was launched last month as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with the aim of creating over 300 direct and indirect job opportunities. Its primary objective is to address the prevalent issue of limited digital access in various regions by providing reliable and affordable internet connectivity and resources. This initiative seeks to democratise internet access beyond government offices, reaching communities and facilitating citizen engagement while fostering inclusive economic growth.

The execution strategy of the project encompasses multiple facets, including infrastructure development, capacity building, digital inclusion, and monitoring and evaluation. Infrastructure development entails investments in broadband infrastructure such as fiber-optic cables, wireless networks, and satellite connectivity. This focus is particularly crucial considering the reported 10.7% decline in Nigeria’s broadband penetration by the end of January 2024.

This is not the first time the Federal Government will launch a Fibre-optic connectivity. In 2013, it launched a Fiber-Optic Research and Education Network to connect 27 Federal universities to each other by the Internet. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Communication Technology, under the leadership of Mrs. Omobola Johnson, its primary objective was to prioritise Nigerian students’ access to Information Communication Technology (ICT) development within the education sector.