FG targets 200 new telecom sites before December

The Federal Government of Nigeria plans to establish 200 new telecommunications sites before December as part of an overarching infrastructure project. This initiative aims to connect over 20 million Nigerians who currently lack adequate telecom services. The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, announced this at the commissioning of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission's new headquarters in Abuja.

The project involves deploying 3,700 telecommunications towers across the country, primarily in underserved and unserved communities. Each tower will cover communities of 5,000 to 10,000 residents, potentially reaching over 20 million people once completed. The first tower was installed in Kura Village, outside Abuja, with similar work underway in the Niger Delta.

The government is also investing in a 90,000-kilometre fibre optic network to enhance broadband infrastructure and internet access nationwide. Additionally, President Bola Tinubu approved the upgrade of Nigeria's communications satellite to extend coverage to areas unreachable by fibre optic cables and towers. Tijani emphasized the importance of digital literacy, cybersecurity, and data protection in supporting the growth of Nigeria's digital economy.