FG to invest $2bn to expand fibre optic capacity by 90,000km

The federal government says it plans to invest $2 billion to expand Nigeria’s fibre optic network by 90,000 kilometres.

Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, spoke about the investment during a visit to the vandalised Digital Innovation Park in Kano on Monday.

The park, scheduled for commissioning in August, was raided by protesters and torched in the same month.

In a statement on Tuesday, Tijani said the project aims to increase Nigeria’s fibre optic capacity from 35,000km to 125,000km, strengthening the country’s terrestrial fibre optic backbone.

The minister said the initiative would streamline the process for private infrastructure companies to invest in Kano’s digital economy.

“To support this vision, the ministry of communications, innovation and digital economy is committed to deepening Nigeria’s digital backbone,” he said.

“Through the National Broadband Alliance, and in collaboration with the Kano State Government, we are simplifying the process for private infrastructure companies to invest in Kano’s digital economy.

“This partnership will facilitate further investment in connectivity, ensuring that key institutions like schools, hospitals, and public offices are connected, enabling Kano to become a true digital hub.

“This is our moment to become a net exporter of technology talent, while also strengthening our own local industries.”

Tijani said the three million technical talent (3MTT) programme is a federal government initiative aimed at exposing three million Nigerians to digital and technical skills.

Last year, when the process started, the federal government said it intended to train three million technical talents by 2025 under the initiative.

This, he said, would create a pipeline of technical talents across Nigeria, helping the ministry achieve its goal of making the country a net exporter of talent.

Tijani also noted that Nigeria’s youthful population is uniquely positioned to meet the challenge, with over 300 young people from Kano currently benefiting from the programme – the highest number of participants.

The minister announced that IHS Towers, one of the largest independent developers of shared telecommunications infrastructure in the world, would assist in restoring the vandalised facility.

Tijani described the park as a symbol of Kano and Nigeria’s aspiration to lead in the global digital economy.