FG announces 90,000km fibre-optic project

Nigeria’s Federal Government is planning to invest two billion dollars to deploy a 90,000-kilometre fibre optic project in the country.

The project is designed to expand Nigeria’s fibre optic cable capacity from 35,000km to 125,000km, to boost the terrestrial fibre optic backbone in.

Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, stated this on Monday in Kano on the sidelines of a facility tour of the vandalised Digital Innovation Park.

Recall that irate youths destroyed the model park during the nationwide protest in August.

Tijani said the investment would provide meaningful connectivity to communities ensuring that schools, hospitals, government establishments and businesses thrive in a digitally connected environment.

According to him, it will also accelerate growth across critical sectors of the economy including education, health, and agriculture.

“To support this vision, the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy is committed to deepening Nigeria’s digital backbone.

“Through the National Broadband Alliance and in collaboration with Kano State Government, we are simplifying the process for private infrastructure companies to invest in Kano’s digital economy.

“This partnership will facilitate further investment in connectivity, ensuring that key institutions like schools, hospitals and public offices are connected, enabling Kano to become a true digital hub,” he said.

The minister noted that in today’s world, technology is the key to unlocking productivity and driving the diversification of Nigeria’s economy.

He said that many countries faced declining populations, stressing that Africa and Nigeria in particular has the advantage of growing a dynamic workforce.

“This is our moment to become a net exporter of technology talent, while also strengthening our own local industries,” he said.

According to Tijani, the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme is a federal government’s initiative aims to expose three million Nigerians in digital and technical skills.

This, he said, aimed at addressing growing shortage of skilled digital professionals, software developers, data scientists, cybersecurity experts, who would be driving innovation and growth.

He said the Nigeria’s youthful population was uniquely positioned to fill this gap, with over 300 young people from Kano currently benefiting from the programme as the highest number of participants.

“These young people represent the future, not only of Nigeria, but of the global digital workforce”.
On the vandalised facility, the minister said the IHS Towers would provide support towards its refurbishment.

While commending the IHS for their commitment towards rebuilding the park, Tijjani described it as a symbol of Kano and Nigeria’s aspiration to be at the forefront of the global digital economy.

Earlier, Tajudeen Othman, Commissioner for Science and Technology in Kano State, lauded the federal government and IHS for the gesture.

Othman restated the state government’s commitment to invest in science and technology.
Kazeem Oladepo, Senior Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, IHS Towers, assured that the company would soon start work and equipping of the park.