Hoping for a transformative push for digital connectivity, the Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a ₦3.3 trillion plan to roll out 90,000 kilometers of fibre optic lines and 7,000 new telecom towers starting in Q4 2025. Announced on May 18, 2025, in Abuja, the initiative aims to bridge the nation’s 60% broadband access gap and boost economic growth.
The project, led by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, targets 70% broadband penetration by 2027, up from 43% in 2024, per NCC data. The fibre lines, spanning 36 states, will enhance 5G coverage, currently at 10% of urban areas, and support 50 million new internet users. The 7,000 towers, funded partly by a $500 million World Bank loan, will address Nigeria’s 30,000-tower deficit, with 80% of rural areas lacking coverage, per a 2024 GSMA report. Minister Bosun Tijani cited partnerships with MTN and Airtel, which handle 65% of Nigeria’s 220 million mobile subscriptions, to fast-track deployment.
The initiative follows a 2024 pilot connecting 10,000 homes in Lagos, achieving 1Gbps speeds. Nigeria’s telecom sector, contributing 15% to GDP, faces challenges like vandalism, with 5,000 towers damaged in 2024, costing ₦10 billion. The government plans 500 security patrols and tax incentives to protect infrastructure. Critics, however, note funding risks, with 40% of 2023’s ₦1 trillion telecom budget unspent, per Budget Office data. The rollout aims to create 100,000 jobs, targeting 35% youth unemployment, and support e-commerce, projected to hit $20 billion by 2027. A 2026 review will assess progress, with 20 pilot states, including Kano and Anambra, prioritized.