The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has announced fresh backing from the China Industrial Bank for the Nigeria Universal Communication Access Project, a programme designed to extend connectivity to more than 20 million Nigerians in underserved communities.

Tijani disclosed the development in a post on X after meeting with a CIB delegation led by the General Manager of the bank’s Strategic Emerging Industries Business Headquarters, Peng Shuang.

He said the project involves the deployment of 3,700 telecommunications towers nationwide to improve connectivity in unserved and underserved areas, with a particular focus on rural and riverine communities lacking reliable communication services.

The minister noted that CIB has committed to supporting the delivery of at least 1,000 telecom tower sites before the end of the year.

“I am particularly encouraged by the Bank’s commitment to supporting our ambition of delivering a minimum of 1,000 tower sites by the end of this year, helping to bring connectivity, opportunity, and economic inclusion closer to millions of Nigerians,” he stated.

Tijani added that the bank reaffirmed its commitment to the successful implementation of NUCAP, a key initiative expected to accelerate digital inclusion and expand access to communications infrastructure across Nigeria.

“NUCAP is a wholly green network of modern telecommunications towers that will extend connectivity to these previously unconnected communities, many of them in rural and riverine areas of Nigeria,” Tijani stated.

According to Tijani, the CIB’s support for the project marks the bank’s first investment in Nigeria, describing it as a strong vote of confidence in the country’s digital economy ambitions and ongoing efforts to expand connectivity.

The minister also recalled that the Federal Government last year unveiled plans to deploy 7,000 telecommunications towers across rural communities nationwide as part of efforts to close the digital divide and improve access to communication services in underserved areas.