Nigeria’s Federal Government will begin rolling out a 90,000-kilometre fibre optic network across the country within weeks, part of a broader push to expand broadband connectivity and accelerate the digital Economy.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani announced the timeline on Tuesday after briefing President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja. Tijani said all funding and contractual processes for the project have been completed and deployment will commence soon.
“In a few weeks, Nigerians will begin to see us laying fibre across the country,” Tijani said. “This project will transform Nigeria for good.”
The network is designed to cover every state, geopolitical zone, local government area and ward, significantly improving internet access and service quality nationwide. Tijani credited presidential reforms for strengthening the communications sector, including the designation of digital infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure, tariff adjustments and tax harmonisation. He said the sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s gross domestic product has risen from between 16 and 18 per cent to nearly 21 per cent since the administration took office.
Beyond the fibre rollout, the government plans to deploy approximately 3,700 telecommunications towers starting in October to provide network coverage for more than 20 million Nigerians living in underserved communities.
Nigeria will also launch an alphanumeric postcode system on October 1, giving every property a unique address to improve e-commerce, security and public service delivery.
The initiatives reflect a coordinated strategy to address longstanding infrastructure gaps that have limited digital inclusion, particularly in rural areas. Expanded broadband capacity is expected to support entrepreneurship, remote work, education and government services, while the tower deployment targets communities that have historically lacked reliable mobile coverage.
Industry analysts have noted that execution speed and maintenance will determine the programme’s impact. Previous infrastructure projects have faced delays due to right-of-way disputes, vandalism and funding shortfalls. The Critical National Infrastructure designation aims to mitigate some of these challenges by providing legal protections for telecom assets.
The October postcode launch adds a logistical layer that could unlock last-mile delivery services, emergency response improvements and more efficient public administration. Success will depend on widespread adoption and integration with existing addressing systems.
Tijani did not disclose the total project cost or the specific contractors awarded the fibre deployment. The ministry has indicated that further details will be released as implementation begins.
