- 30 Million Nigerians Unconnected: Despite 25 years of telecom growth, about 30 million Nigerians still lack basic telephony services.
- Key Projects to Bridge the Gap: Initiatives like Project Bridge (90,000 km fiber rollout), Project 774 (connecting LGAs), and 7,000 base stations aim to expand connectivity.
- Collaboration is Essential: Minister Bosun Tijani emphasizes public-private partnerships, digital literacy programs, and sustainable solutions to achieve a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
Twenty-five years after Nigeria’s telecommunications revolution, approximately 30 million Nigerians remain without basic telephony service. The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, revealed this during the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) Industry-Focused Stakeholders Engagement Session in Lagos, themed “Fostering Connectivity in Unserved and Underserved Communities: Collaborating for Sustainable Growth.”
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Dr. Tijani highlighted ongoing efforts to close this gap, including several key projects:
- Project Bridge: Deployment of 90,000 km of fiber to enhance broadband connectivity.
- Project 774: Connecting all local government areas across the country.
- Universal Access Project: Construction of 7,000 base transceiver stations.
- National Broadband Alliance of Nigeria (NBAN) & 3MTT: A digital skill development initiative.
He emphasized that public-private sector collaboration is essential to achieving Nigeria’s goal of a $1 trillion economy by 2030, as outlined by President Bola Tinubu.
Tijani identified four pillars for effective collaboration: community engagement, leveraging existing infrastructure, capacity building, and developing sustainable solutions. He stressed that digital literacy programs and entrepreneurship training must be integrated with connectivity initiatives to ensure long-term success.
While acknowledging the minister’s estimate, USPF Executive Secretary Yomi Arowosafe stated that their latest count indicates about 23 million unserved Nigerians across 87 communities, with the figure fluctuating over time. He called for stronger cooperation among stakeholders to bridge the access gap.
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Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), reiterated the USPF’s commitment to universal access through projects like base transceiver station deployment and backbone transmission infrastructure.
He underscored the need for a multi-stakeholder approach to attract investment, adopt emerging technologies, and promote collaborative policies for sustainable rural telecommunications.
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