Nigeria is making efforts to secure $2 billion in funding to support the development of fibre-optic infrastructure across the country. This initiative aims to improve internet connectivity and foster economic growth.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, reiterated this at the December edition and wrap-up event of DevsInGovernment 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
He explained that fibre-optic cables were being laid nationwide to ensure no communities were left behind.
“From the Commonwealth of Nigeria, the connectivity is based on investment in digital infrastructure. Historically in Nigeria, this is something we have largely left to private companies to do. Private companies will only invest in areas where they believe they can make quick returns or recover their money,” he said.
According to the Minister, “When we talk about investing in fibre optics, most people cannot relate to it. The value of it is that we can invest in the infrastructure that will bring the internet to people, regardless of where they are.
“The reason why we are laying the fibre-optic network I have described to you is so that we can cover the entire country and not leave our people behind.
“That is why we have been working to secure the funding required to carry out this project. It will cost the nation about $2 billion. The government is raising half of that,” he stated.
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Looking ahead to 2025, Tijani noted that the Federal Government would raise half of the $2 billion for the project, while private companies would invest the other half to extend connectivity to rural areas.
“We are getting private companies to invest in the other half. Once we kick off the deployment of the fibre network next year, more rural areas will start experiencing better and more meaningful connectivity,” he said.
Dr Tijani described 2024 as an extremely exciting year and appreciated partners and organisations that not only worked with the ministry but also funded several of its initiatives.
A participant from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Mrs Chinelo Nwankwo, said she had learnt about neural networks, deep learning, and responsible data management, among other topics. Nwankwo encouraged her colleagues to join the programme and expressed optimism that next year’s edition would be even better.
Another participant, Mr Hakeeb Lawal, an Information Security Professional at the Central Bank of Nigeria, said 2024 was a year he aimed to network with like-minded individuals, and DevsInGovernment provided the perfect opportunity.
Lawal praised the Minister for his hard work on the project and urged other participants to spread the word to create awareness about the programme.
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