Nigeria has marked a major milestone in its digital infrastructure drive, completing 60 percent of its planned 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable deployment. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, made the announcement at an event in Abuja on Wednesday commemorating Global Privacy Day, organized by the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC). The fibre optic rollout, initially announced in August 2025, aims to expand internet access and drive digital inclusion across the country.
Tijani emphasized that the project is more than a promise, noting that significant progress has already been made. “When I talk about the fact that we will connect 90,000 kilometres of fibre, it’s not just a dream. I’ve actually done 60 percent of that work,” he said, adding that funding for the initiative has already been secured. The minister stressed that the infrastructure forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy anchored on shared prosperity.
Beyond fibre connectivity, the government is pursuing additional projects to strengthen Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. Plans include rolling out 4,000 telecom towers in rural communities under the MilCAP programme and acquiring two new communication satellites. “Nigeria today is the only country in West Africa with a known communication satellite, and we’ve been given a head to procure two new ones,” Tijani said, noting that the satellites will help connect every region of the country and neighboring nations.
Tijani also highlighted the importance of investing in digital talent. The country’s technology talent accelerator, described as the largest of its kind in Africa, is designed to equip Nigerians with the skills needed to drive the nation’s technology transformation. He stressed that connectivity alone is not enough; trust, data protection, and privacy remain critical. “If we lose trust in this sector, people will be discouraged from relying on the tools that can transform our economy,” he said, underlining the link between digital growth and public confidence.
At the event, Vincent Olatunji, CEO of the NDPC, outlined steps to strengthen enforcement of data protection laws through judicial training, international collaboration, and engagement with security agencies. The commission also plans to publish a list of non-compliant higher institutions to promote accountability. Tijani was recognized with an award as a global data protection champion, highlighting his leadership in combining infrastructure, talent, and trust to drive Nigeria’s digital economy forward.
source: The Cable