Nigeria has taken a significant step toward closing the digital divide with the unveiling of the high-level technical design for Project Bridge, a major national broadband initiative. The project, which is a key part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to deploy 90,000km of fibre-optic infrastructure across the country, adding to the existing 35,000km network.
This will create a 125,000km resilient national fibre framework that supports the growth of the digital economy.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, described it as “the most ambitious and foundational digital infrastructure project in Nigeria’s history and currently the largest digital fibre backbone investment in any developing nation.”
Speaking at a stakeholder event in Lagos, hosted in partnership with the Association of Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ATCON), he noted that the design would help bridge connectivity gaps and extend high-speed broadband to every part of Nigeria.
The network will feature seven regional backbone rings interconnecting the six geopolitical zones and Lagos, ensuring redundancy, low latency, and seamless data flow.
Each ring will connect urban hubs and improve regional interconnectivity, supporting governance, education, and business growth. It will also cover all 774 Local Government Area headquarters through Points of Presence (PoPs), ensuring even remote regions are linked to the national framework.
From each LGA PoP, fibre connections will extend to administrative wards, targeting schools and healthcare facilities. These ward-level nodes will act as mini distribution points to support last-mile connections, particularly in underserved communities. Dr. Tijani explained that the deployment would be prioritised based on population density and demand, with a scalable design for future expansion.
The project is structured to meet the needs of both large and small internet service providers, encouraging healthy competition and network sharing. By enabling fixed broadband growth nationwide, it will open opportunities for improved internet access in homes, offices, and institutions.
“The last mile remains essential and will involve linking service providers directly to end users using fibre or other technologies,” Dr. Tijani said. “This final layer will be powered by the foundational middle mile network, enabling broader internet access across Nigeria.”
He emphasised that meaningful connectivity was key to unlocking the benefits of the nation’s digital economy and invited stakeholders to share their input. “Together, we will bridge the digital divide and ensure that more Nigerians can participate in and benefit from a thriving digital economy,” he added.
The minister stressed that the rollout will not only improve broadband penetration but also enhance service delivery in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and commerce. With a focus on equitable access, Project Bridge is expected to boost innovation, create jobs, and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global digital landscape.
As the country moves into the next phase of deployment, government and industry stakeholders are being encouraged to collaborate in order to ensure the successful delivery of this transformative infrastructure.
Photos of the design are shared Here.