Digital Economy: Nigeria, World Bank activate ‘Broadband for All’ to deepen fibre connectivity

*Dr. ’Bosun Tijani, Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, assures as Nigeria grows its digital economy, access to Broadband connectivity by several millions of telecoms consumers will define success of all the government’s interventions, just as the government activates ‘Project 774 LG Connectivity’ for inclusive development and access to digital public infrastructure in the country

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

The Federal Government of Nigeria and the World Bank have partnered for improved fibre connectivity for Nigerian telecoms consumers via a critical stakeholder engagement with the catchphrase, “Broadband for All”, which held in Abuja, FCT, recently.

ConsumerConnect reports Dr. ’Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, who co-organised the forum noted with the growing digital economy in the country’s ecosystem, “access to Broadband is going to define the success of all our interventions” in Nigeria.

Describing his impression of the stakeholder engagement, Dr. Tijani stated in a recent blog note “I am grateful for the support of the World Bank in co-organising an ecosystem conversation on ‘Broadband for All’ to discuss the critical steps necessary towards building fibre connectivity across Nigeria.”

The Minister also acknowledged the fact that the Nigerian ICT sector has been on an upward trajectory over the last 10 years.

He equally said: “As we work to grow our digital economy, access to Broadband is going to define the success of all our interventions. I am looking forward to engaging more partners and stakeholders in the Nigerian Broadband Alliance.

Tijani further took the opportunity to make a special recognition to the World Bank team, including Franz R. Drees-Gross – Regional Director (West Africa), Infrastructure, Shubham Chaudhuri, Nigeria Country Director of the Bank, and Ida Mboob, Senior Digital Development Specialist for their cooperation on the digital economy project.

Government launches ‘Project 774 Local Government Areas connectivity’

Meanwhile, as part of the Federal Government’s commitment to pushing the frontiers of the country’s digital economy ecosystem with its diverse benefits, Dr. Tijani has also activated Project 774 Local Governments (LGs) Connectivity for improved Broadband penetration in all the nooks and crannies of the West African country.

Speaking of the occasion of the launch in Abuja, the Minister stated: “As part of our plans to foster inclusive development and promote access to digital public infrastructure in government, I am happy to announce the launch of Project 774 LG Connectivity.

“The project which will leverage the existing infrastructure of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat) and Galaxy Backbone, will provide connectivity to all 774 Local Government Secretariats across Nigeria.”

He further disclosed the ‘Project 774 LG Connectivity’ would create at least 300 direct jobs as “we deploy nationwide, and potentially more jobs indirectly from the increase in digital access.”

Tijani said: “It is also aligned with our Ministry’s Strategic Blueprint and a significant step in achieving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate to deliver efficient public service to our citizens at the LG level.”