FG, WORLD BANK UNITE TO REVOLUTIONISE BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY

The Federal Government of Nigeria and the World Bank are pooling resources to secure a staggering $3 billion in funding to expand broadband connectivity across the nation. This ambitious initiative targets the deployment of an additional 120,000km of fibre optic cables, ushering in a new era of enhanced digital infrastructure and connectivity in Nigeria.

The announcement was made recently by Dr Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, during a pivotal stakeholders’ engagement event themed ‘Realising a Nigerian Vision of Broadband for All’.

Tijani expressed optimism that the necessary funds would be mobilised within the next two to three years, with active involvement from private sector stakeholders and implementation slated over three years.

Highlighting the critical importance of investing in digital backbone infrastructure, the minister underscored the imperative of ensuring affordable and equitable access to the digital space for all Nigerians, regardless of their location.

While Nigeria has already laid 3,035km of fibre optic cables, the plan seeks to scale up to 120,000 kilometres to ensure ubiquitous access to quality internet and digital services nationwide.

The World Bank’s Regional Director for Infrastructure in West and Central Africa, Franz Drees-Gross outlined the project’s first phase, which entails laying 95,000km of fibre optic cables across Nigeria. This monumental endeavour is poised to enhance access to digital services and content nationwide significantly.

Drees-Gross commended Nigeria’s vibrant digital ecosystem, particularly in Lagos, and expressed the World Bank’s keen interest in supporting the nation’s efforts to secure funding for this transformative project. Plans to establish a digital national broadband fund are underway, with discussions centred on the most effective financing mechanisms to realise Nigeria’s broadband expansion goals. With Nigeria’s burgeoning digital landscape and strategic geographic position, the project holds immense potential to position the country as a regional hub for digital services in West Africa.