The Federal Government has disclosed plans to significantly expand Nigeria’s digital infrastructure in 2026 by rolling out at least 1,000 telecommunications towers in underserved rural communities, as part of a broader strategy to bridge connectivity gaps and improve nationwide access to digital services.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, made this known during a press briefing in Abuja, where he outlined the government’s growing focus on strengthening digital access across the country. According to him, the rollout is part of a larger, approved plan that will see thousands of towers deployed in phases.
“The president has approved for us to install 3,700 towers… We’re working hard to deliver at least 1,000 of those this year,” Tijani said, stressing the urgency of closing Nigeria’s connectivity gap. He noted that more than 20 million Nigerians still live in areas without any form of telecommunications access, a situation the government now considers unacceptable in a modern digital economy.
The planned tower deployment is not a standalone effort. It forms part of a broader national infrastructure strategy that includes the rollout of 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables across the country. This fibre network is expected to reach every state, local government, and ward, creating a backbone for fast and reliable internet connectivity.
Tijani explained that improving network quality goes beyond simply adding more towers. According to him, true and lasting connectivity depends heavily on fibre infrastructure. “If we have a ubiquitous fibre network all across Nigeria, the complaints that you give today on the quality of connectivity will change totally,” he said. “If you want true real connectivity, it has to be through fibre.”
The government’s approach combines multiple layers of infrastructure development. In addition to towers and fibre, plans are also underway to upgrade Nigeria’s communication satellites. This coordinated investment across different technologies is designed to ensure that both urban and remote communities benefit from improved access.
Tijani pointed out that this level of simultaneous investment is rare among developing countries. He said Nigeria is positioning itself as a leader in digital infrastructure by pursuing towers, fibre, and satellite upgrades at the same time, rather than treating them as separate initiatives.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the government is also placing strong emphasis on policy and research to guide its digital expansion. This led to the launch of the National Digital Economy Research Clusters Programme, a university-led initiative designed to support evidence-based policymaking.
The programme will bring together leading academics from across the country to focus on key areas of Nigeria’s digital transformation. Tijani clarified that participation will be based on expertise rather than geographical representation. “We want to pick six professors, up to six professors per cluster… it has nothing to do with how many states that we have in Nigeria,” he said.
Each selected professor will work with a team that includes three postdoctoral researchers and three PhD candidates. Over the next three years, the initiative is expected to engage more than 200 researchers, all working collaboratively to generate data-driven insights that can guide both government and private sector decisions.
Funding for the research clusters is estimated at about N12 billion over three years. Each cluster will receive approximately $1.5 million, alongside additional resources for programme management. The initiative also aims to attract international partnerships, allowing foreign institutions to collaborate with Nigerian researchers and contribute further expertise and funding.
According to Tijani, the goal is to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to design policies that reflect local realities. “We cannot rely on ideas developed elsewhere. We must generate our own insights that are rooted in our realities,” he said, emphasising the need for homegrown solutions in addressing digital challenges.
The expansion of digital infrastructure is already showing measurable impact on the economy. Tijani noted that Nigeria’s digital sector has grown significantly in recent years, with its contribution to GDP rising from about 16–18 per cent to nearly 20 per cent. The government is targeting a further increase to 21 per cent in the coming year.
He also highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at building digital skills across the population. One of the flagship programmes is the 3 Million Technical Talent initiative, which he described as the largest technology talent accelerator globally. The programme currently has participants across all 774 local government areas, reflecting its nationwide reach.
In addition to skills development, the government is working on a Digital Economy Bill that is currently before the National Assembly. This legislation is expected to provide a unified legal framework for the sector, addressing regulatory gaps and supporting long-term growth.
Other key projects include the development of a national data exchange system to enable seamless data sharing between public and private institutions. There are also plans to implement a national artificial intelligence strategy, as well as a digital postcode system to improve commerce, logistics, and service delivery.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, also spoke on the importance of the infrastructure expansion, particularly for the education sector. He stressed that improved connectivity will directly impact learning outcomes across the country.
“We say education is the bedrock of society, but without communication, there would not be anything to facilitate education,” he said. He added that the fibre rollout will prioritise schools and hospitals, ensuring that critical institutions are not left behind in the digital transformation.
Alausa revealed that the government has secured a $2 billion World Bank facility to support the fibre project. He explained that integrating research into infrastructure development will help maximise its long-term impact, particularly in areas such as digital governance, online safety, and job creation.
He also pointed to the growing number of global opportunities in fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and software development, noting that Nigerian youths can access these jobs remotely if they have the right skills and connectivity.
Academic leaders have also expressed support for the initiative. The Vice-Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Professor Ayodeji Agboola, said the programme would help address youth unemployment while accelerating digital transformation.
Similarly, the Vice-Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, Ebunoluwa Oduwole, described the initiative as critical to integrating education into the digital economy. She noted that collaboration between government ministries will be essential to ensuring that universities fully benefit from the new infrastructure.
As Nigeria moves forward with its digital expansion plans, the focus remains on ensuring that no community is left disconnected. The planned rollout of 1,000 telecom towers in 2026 represents a significant step towards that goal, signalling a broader commitment to building an inclusive and accessible digital future for all Nigerians.
