FG to connect rural, riverine communities to telecom services

The Federal Government of Nigeria plans to connect rural and riverine communities to telecommunications services by mid-2027, part of its strategy to narrow the digital divide and achieve a $1 trillion economic goal. Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, announced this at the Ogboghoro Community during the inaugural BINI RIVA LIFE Festival in Delta State, marking the fifth coronation anniversary of the Olu of Warri.

The government will install 3,700 telecommunications towers, including in hard-to-reach riverine areas, with work already underway in Ogheye. Tijani expressed confidence that all riverine communities would be linked to the rest of the country and the global digital economy by mid-2027, emphasizing that the target cannot be met if millions remain disconnected from digital connectivity.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the initiative as a means to attain the administration's economic target. Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, urged the festival organizers to transform the annual event into a year-round tourism destination to attract both local and international visitors.

She highlighted Nigeria's existing tourism assets, including its rivers, communities, festivals, and fashion, urging the festival to leverage these for year-round appeal. Dr. Godwin Ebosa, the National Leader of the community, praised the government's interest in the riverine communities, noting that the festival could spur economic activities and infrastructure development in the host areas.