FG to Launch 200 Telecom Sites by December

The Federal Government of Nigeria announced that it will operationalize at least 200 new telecommunications sites before December as part of a nationwide infrastructure project aimed at connecting over 20 million Nigerians who currently lack adequate telecom services. Dr Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, made this announcement during the commissioning of the new headquarters of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission in Abuja.

The project includes the deployment of 3,700 telecommunications towers, particularly in underserved communities, with each tower expected to serve between 5,000 and 10,000 residents. The first tower has been deployed in Kura Village, and work has commenced in the Niger Delta.

Additionally, the government is investing in a 90,000-kilometre fibre optic network to enhance broadband infrastructure. President Bola Tinubu has also approved an upgrade of Nigeria’s communications satellite, NIGCOMSAT, to extend coverage to remote areas.

The ICT sector's contribution to Nigeria's GDP has increased to about 21%, with a goal to reach 25%.