The Federal Government is preparing to launch the deployment of 90,000 kilometers of fiber-optic cable across the country. This initiative, expected to commence within the next six months, is a cornerstone of the government’s strategy to enhance connectivity nationwide.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, while outlining the Ministry’s achievements over the past year, according to Nairametrics.
According to Tijani, the project could begin as early as now, with a deadline set for February 2025.
This large-scale project underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy and improving access to high-speed internet for businesses and individuals alike.
This upcoming project aims to expand Nigeria’s backbone network from its current 35,000 kilometers to an impressive 125,000 kilometers.
The initiative is set to significantly enhance the country’s digital infrastructure, by adding 90,000 kilometers of fiber-optic cable to the national connectivity backbone.
Tijani further disclosed that the funding partners, which include the World Bank, are finalizing arrangements for the project’s financing.
“The Federal Executive Council has approved the SPV that will deliver on this project, and our development funding partners are currently finalizing the SPV structure to ensure the aggregation of funding required for the effective deployment of the fibre-optic network.
“Our target is for this deployment to start within the next 6 months,” the Minister stated.
Tijani emphasized the project’s necessity, pointing out that increased connectivity, both in terms of quantity and quality, would open up chances over time by fostering a robust digital ecosystem.
“By connecting more communities across the country, we will ensure that many more of our citizens can connect to the benefits of the digital economy,” he added.
Recall Tijani in earlier revealed that the FEC had approved the SPV, saying that it will be modeled after some of the best Public-Private Partnership setups in Nigeria, such NIBSS and NLNG, in terms of governance and operations.
