The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to construct 7,000 new communication towers in rural areas to enhance telecommunications access and bridge the digital divide.
This initiative, approved by the Federal Executive Council, aims to provide high-quality connectivity to underserved communities across the country.
This was disclosed by the
Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani on Thursday while briefing Statehouse Correspondents in Abuja.
Tijani, stated that the FEC has approved the construction of 7,000 telecom towers as part of a broader strategy to enhance connectivity and bridge the digital divide in rural areas.
He stated that the investment will support the ongoing rollout of 90,000 kilometers of fiber-optic cables nationwide.
Tijani emphasized the government’s commitment to providing all Nigerians, particularly those in underserved areas, with reliable and high-quality telecommunication services.
“The priority for this government is meaningful access. We don’t want our people to just have access to telecommunication services; we want it to be of high quality.
“That is why the NCC has been working thoroughly to ensure that we shift the focus not just to quality of service, but to quality of experience,” he said.
The Minister noted that investing in rural infrastructure aligns with the administration’s broader goal of enhancing digital inclusion and expanding economic opportunities for all citizens.
Addressing the recently approved tariff increase for telecom operators, Tijani stated that the decision was necessary to ensure sustainable and meaningful access to telecommunications services for Nigerians.
Tijani acknowledged that approving the tariff increase was a difficult but necessary decision to balance the interests of citizens, businesses, and the economy.
He stressed the government’s duty to safeguard the telecom sector, which directly and indirectly employs nearly half a million Nigerians.
“We have to ensure that when telecom companies invest, we can keep them afloat. This is a sector that employs close to half a million people in this country, including the value chain,” Tijani said.
After the approval of a 50% tariff increase for telecom operators on January 20, 2025, operators have begun implementing the new rates.
