By Aaior K. Comfort
The Federal Government has announced plans to invest $2 billion to deploy a 90,000km fibre-optic project aimed at significantly expanding Nigeria’s digital infrastructure. The project will increase the country’s fibre optic cable network from 35,000km to 125,000km, enhancing the nation’s terrestrial backbone.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, made the announcement on Monday during a tour of the vandalized Digital Innovation Park in Kano. The park had been damaged during nationwide protests in August.
Tijani emphasized that the investment will ensure that key institutions such as schools, hospitals, and government offices across Nigeria have access to meaningful digital connectivity. This expansion is expected to accelerate growth in critical sectors like education, health, and agriculture.
Boosting Nigeria’s Digital Economy
In collaboration with the National Broadband Alliance and the Kano State Government, the ministry aims to simplify the process for private companies to invest in Kano’s digital infrastructure, turning the state into a digital hub.
According to Tijani, expanding Nigeria’s digital backbone will drive the diversification of the economy, helping it become a global leader in technology talent development. He highlighted that the growing Nigerian workforce presents an opportunity to produce a net export of technology talent, filling global demand for skilled digital professionals.
Investing in Youth Talent
The Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative, a federal government program, aims to equip three million Nigerians with digital and technical skills. This initiative focuses on developing expertise in areas such as software development, data science, and cybersecurity. Kano, in particular, has been a significant beneficiary of the program, with over 300 participants currently enrolled.
Rebuilding the Digital Innovation Park
The minister also announced that IHS Towers will help refurbish the vandalized Digital Innovation Park. He commended their commitment to the project, describing the park as a symbol of Nigeria’s aspiration to lead in the global digital economy.