The Federal Executive Council has approved the rollout of 4,000 telecommunications towers to underserved communities across Nigeria in a move designed to boost national security, improve communication, and grow rural economies. The announcement was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, while briefing State House correspondents after the council meeting at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.
Idris told journalists, “The Federal Executive Council has taken a decision that 4,000 of such towers be established or erected in these very underserved communities across this country.” He noted that the plan is expected to support security agencies and enable residents in rural areas to engage better with the digital economy. According to him, “Indeed, this will also help in fighting insecurity and enhancing commerce and economic activity amongst the people of those communities.”
The Minister explained that the move was motivated by a presentation from the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, which showed that about 23 million Nigerians currently lack access to proper communication due to the absence of network infrastructure. Idris added, “Under that programme, about 4,000 towers will be erected in underserved communities.” He said the rollout is expected to significantly improve rural connectivity, stimulate commerce and enhance security surveillance in areas currently lacking network coverage.
For years, millions of people in remote parts of Nigeria have been unable to make calls, send messages, access emergency services or participate in digital transactions because voice and data services fade out in large rural zones. Security agencies also rely on existing base stations for emergency response systems like 112 and 761, as well as for cell-site triangulation and real-time coordination in difficult terrain. However, vandalism, high diesel costs, and multiple right-of-way and permit charges have made coverage expansion slow and expensive for operators.
President Bola Tinubu on November 27 declared a nationwide security emergency following increased cases of abductions, and announced fresh interventions such as recruiting 20,000 additional police officers, deploying forest guards and improving protection for schools, churches and mosques. Telecom operators have often urged the government to standardise right-of-way fees, guard infrastructure against vandalism, use hybrid solar systems for power, and support cost-saving tower sharing. The FEC decision is expected to support this push and improve the national emergency response system.
Idris also disclosed that the council approved the establishment of new agricultural mechanisation service centres across all six geopolitical zones. The centres, he said, will “support and boost agricultural mechanisation that will in turn also improve all year-round farming across communities in Nigeria.” The measure aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen food production, support farmers and reduce reliance on outdated manual methods.
In the health sector, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, presented new updates on the country’s vaccination campaigns. He stated that more than 14 million Nigerian girls have been immunised against the Human Papillomavirus, while nearly 30 million children received the measles–rubella vaccine within the past year. Salako noted that continued funding for primary healthcare and immunisation programmes will allow nationwide vaccination efforts to expand further in 2026.
According to Salako, the government has reinforced its focus on the Basic Health Care Provision Fund as part of wider reforms to improve service delivery. He said, “The commitment in the MTF to sustain funding for the basic health care fund means that more primary health care centres will be revitalised, in line with the agenda of Mr. President to put primary health care at the cornerstone of our health care delivery.” He revealed that more than 4,000 primary health centres have already been revitalised, with an additional 8,000 on the way.
Salako highlighted how improved funding has helped millions of young girls receive the Human Papillomavirus vaccine and allowed rapid rollout of the combined rubella and measles vaccine. He explained, “That commitment means that we can also scale that up in the coming year. It also means that the novel introduction of the combined rubella and measles vaccine, which has seen close to 30 million Nigerian children immunised in less than a year, can be scaled up in the coming year.” He added that the current programme reflects “Mr. President’s commitment to social welfare, which touches the average Nigerian directly.”
