Nigeria is embarking on a significant overhaul of its telecommunications sector, with a $1 billion investment in new network equipment aimed at boosting service quality by the third quarter of 2025. This ambitious upgrade was announced by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who emphasized that the equipment deliveries would begin in July. The investment marks one of the largest in the history of Nigeria’s telecom industry and is expected to set a new standard for connectivity across the nation.
The funding for this infrastructure push stems from a 50% tariff adjustment implemented in February 2025—the first of its kind in over a decade. This financial reform has allowed telecom operators to manage rising operational costs, which have tripled in the last ten years, and reinvest in their networks. Dr. Tijani noted that operators have already placed equipment orders with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and the arrival of this gear signals a turning point for Nigeria’s digital landscape.
Key areas of improvement include resolving chronic issues like dropped calls, slow data speeds, and poor broadband access. The investment will also fast-track the expansion of 4G and 5G services, especially in urban centers and underserved rural communities. Nigerians are expected to see significant enhancements in internet reliability and performance by the latter part of the year, according to government officials.
This initiative was foreshadowed by a recent statement from Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, who confirmed that over $1 billion in equipment orders had been placed with Chinese vendors. With the rise of data-heavy applications like WhatsApp voice calls, the overhaul is anticipated to relieve network congestion and support increasing data consumption across the country.
Beyond technological upgrades, the government is emphasizing equitable access, particularly in rural regions. Dr. Tijani reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring nationwide connectivity, stressing that rural coverage is essential for both economic empowerment and national security. While private investments will drive much of the progress, the government plans to intervene where commercial incentives fall short, ensuring that no community is left disconnected.
Source: Punch