FG’s 90,000km fibre rollout begins in October – Bosun Tijani

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the commencement of a 90,000-kilometre nationwide fibre-optic network rollout, set to begin in October. This announcement was made by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, during the National Innovation Hub Standards Framework Workshop. The project, known as Project BRIDGE, has been in development since 2024 after the Federal Executive Council approved the establishment of an independent company, Bridge Open Access (Bridge OA), to facilitate the deployment of the fibre-optic cable across Nigeria.

President Bola Tinubu has already approved the deepening of connectivity, leading to the government's investment in the extensive fibre-optic network. The rollout will begin in October, and while there will be presidential approval for installing numerous towers in areas without network coverage, some areas will be connected via satellite due to impracticality.

Tijani emphasized that a comprehensive approach to digital technologies and businesses is crucial for Nigeria's growth, projecting a multi-million-dollar ecosystem. He highlighted that sectors aspiring for growth must integrate technology as a core component. Tijani expressed optimism regarding the Innovation Standards Framework, currently in its draft stage, which he believes will aid innovators in scaling, growing, and maturing when the final draft is released.

He stressed the government's role in creating enabling policies, interventions, and an environment conducive to stakeholders collaborating and fostering a supportive culture in the tech ecosystem. Tijani expressed his desire for individuals not to need to travel from Yola to Yaba, Lagos, to grow their businesses, emphasizing that a standardized innovation framework across the country is essential.

Project BRIDGE aims to provide internet access to 20 million Nigerians, leveraging the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat). The ICT sector in Nigeria has shown strong momentum, with a 31.63% year-on-year growth in nominal terms in the first quarter of 2025, representing a 28.23 percentage-point increase compared to the same quarter of 2024.