Nigeria’s digital economy has seen significant progress under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, especially in expanding network connectivity and bridging the digital divide. In just two years, the government has set a clear roadmap to ensure that every Nigerian—regardless of location—has access to reliable internet connectivity.
Central to this effort is the “Renewed Hope Agenda”, which places digital infrastructure at the heart of national development, aiming to stimulate economic growth and promote social inclusion. While internet penetration has increased, particularly in urban centers, challenges persist in rural areas where connectivity quality remains limited.
As of early 2024, internet penetration reached approximately 45%, a significant leap from 15% a decade ago. The number of unconnected clusters has dropped from 207 to 87, reflecting progress toward digital equity. The government’s ambitious goal is to achieve 70% broadband penetration by 2025, through infrastructure development, broadband initiatives, and digital empowerment programs.
At the unveiling of a pilot project for rural network expansion, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, announced the Federal Government’s investment in 7,000 telecom towers to serve underserved communities. He emphasized that this initiative, directed by President Tinubu, aims to ensure equitable access to connectivity, particularly for the estimated 20 million Nigerians in rural areas without internet access.
“The President insisted that connectivity must extend beyond urban areas—into every part of the country, including the North,” Tijani said. “This expansion will transform sectors such as health, agriculture, and security.”
According to the minister, Nigeria’s digital economy is one of the fastest-growing in Africa, contributing significantly to GDP through tech startups, fintech, e-commerce, and digital services. Platforms that support remote work and gig economy access have opened new avenues for employment and innovation. Programs like the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative, launched in October 2023, aim to equip Nigerians with digital skills in areas such as AI, cybersecurity, and software development, with the target of training three million people by 2027.
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, reinforced the vision of a digitally transformed Nigeria. He highlighted the role of the Digital Transformation Working Group (DTWG) in modernizing government operations, service delivery, and data-driven governance. “Digital transformation is not just about technology—it’s about rethinking governance to be more responsive and citizen-centered,” Inuwa stated.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), through its President Dr. Muhammad Sirajo, continues to foster collaboration on inclusive and sustainable tech solutions. At its 19th International Conference, the NCS emphasized the importance of resilience and innovation in connecting the unconnected, with themes spanning AI, cybersecurity, green technology, and more.
A key milestone under Tinubu’s administration is the launch of the National Broadband Alliance (NBAN)—a multi-stakeholder initiative uniting government bodies, the private sector, and civil society to accelerate broadband penetration. The government has approved a $2 billion investment to expand the nation’s fibre-optic network by 90,000 km, growing Nigeria’s capacity from 35,000 km to 125,000 km, making it the third-largest terrestrial fibre network in Africa.
Furthering its grassroots connectivity agenda, the Local Government Connectivity Initiative was unveiled to ensure broadband access in all 774 local government secretariats within six months. This will leverage infrastructure from NIGCOMSAT and Galaxy Backbone to provide dependable connectivity even in the most remote communities.
Stakeholders affirm that President Tinubu’s digital transformation strategy reflects a strong commitment to economic empowerment and digital inclusion. By tackling infrastructure gaps, expanding digital literacy, and creating a supportive regulatory environment, the administration is paving the way for a digitally connected Nigeria, where every citizen can thrive in the modern economy.
While challenges remain, the collaboration between government, industry players, and civil society marks a promising path toward closing the digital divide—and unlocking Nigeria’s full digital potential.
— (NANFeatures)
