The Federal Government has announced plans to commence the deployment of a 90,000 kilometre fibre optic network, 3,700 telecommunications towers and a new digital postcode system in the coming weeks as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s digital infrastructure. Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, disclosed this after briefing State House correspondents following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Tijani said all contractual processes and resource mobilisation for the projects had been completed, paving the way for implementation. According to him, the nationwide fibre optic network will extend broadband connectivity to every state, geopolitical zone, local government area and ward, while about 3,700 telecommunications towers will improve mobile network coverage for more than 20 million Nigerians living in underserved rural communities.
The minister also announced that the Federal Government would launch a GIS enabled alphanumeric digital postcode system on October 1 to provide a unique address for every property across the country. He explained that the initiative would improve location identification, logistics, emergency response and public service delivery, placing Nigeria among countries with advanced digital addressing systems.
Tijani said the projects are central to the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda aimed at expanding broadband access, promoting digital inclusion and accelerating economic growth. He added that with planning and funding now completed, physical implementation of the projects is expected to begin within the next few weeks.