FG’s Restates Commitment to Fiber-based Internet Connectivity for All Nigerians

Stories by Emma Okonji

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani has reiterated the comment of the federal government to provide fibre-based internet connectivity for all Nigerians, including those in rural and under-served communities, through its ongoing 90,000km fibre optic cable project.   

Tijani who restated the commitment in Lagos at a technology event organised by industry stakeholders, said through the project, every region and every state in the country would have access to its fibre optic cable that would boost internet connectivity among the people.

“Nigerians that play in the technology sector know that one of the projects of the federal government that is dear to my heart is the development and delivery of 90,000 kilometers of fibre to our country, which means that every region, every state, and every ward in Nigeria will have a point of presence for fiber. This will enable Nigerians to have internet connectivity and consume data from any location in the country. The project has commenced and it’s already improving connectivity access. So even when we’re talking about the quality of connectivity that we get today, most of us don’t realise that the connectivity is coming through the federal government fibre optic cable project,” Tijani said.

Talking about the role that digital technology plays in strengthening society, the minister said in many developed countries, governments could tell their citizens what is happening in different parts of the country, because they have access to robust internet connectivity. He however said that was not the case with many developing countries, because developing countries are not investing enough in technology.

“In Nigeria, government is trying to achieve near fibre sensing through the 90,000 kilometres of fibre project. This will help government to monitor every activity and movement from a central location. With fibre connectivity, government will be able to monitor cross-border movement and everything that happens around our borders as well on our coastal roads and high ways,” he said.