FG to begin 90,000km fibre rollout in October – Minister

Nigeria is set to commence a massive 90,000-kilometer nationwide fiber-optic network project in October, according to Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. This initiative is a cornerstone of the government's strategy to enhance broadband connectivity across the country, particularly in areas currently lacking adequate service.

Tijani confirmed that funding for the ambitious project, known as Project BRIDGE (Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth), has been secured. The project aims to significantly extend Nigeria's fiber backbone from its current approximately 35,000 kilometers to about 125,000 kilometers. Once completed, it is expected to position Nigeria among the top three longest fiber-optic networks in Africa, rivaling those in South Africa and Egypt.

The project's funding has been assembled through a combination of international development partners. The World Bank has approved $500 million in financing, while the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has committed $100 million, supplemented by a €22 million grant from the European Union. Additionally, the African Development Bank approved $200 million in April 2026 for a related project focused on boosting employment through digital value chain infrastructure.

This fiber expansion is part of a broader three-layered strategy for Nigeria's digital economy. The first layer focuses on foundational infrastructure like fiber optics, power, and data centers. The second layer involves developing digital platforms for identity and payments, while the third layer supports innovators and businesses building services on this infrastructure. Beyond fiber, the government also plans to deploy nearly 3,700 telecom towers to reach over 20 million people in communities with no current telecommunications access.

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President Bola Tinubu approved that we must deepen connectivity and we’re investing in 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic network. By the time we are done, it’s going to be either the third or second longest fibre optic network on the African continent, somewhere between what we have in South Africa and Egypt. And this is a project that is starting implementation in October. We have raised the funding for it.