Broadband: Nigeria set to deploy 90,000km fibre optic cables to boost connectivity, digital economy –Official

*The Federal Government of Nigeria announces its readiness to launch and deploy a 90,000-kilometre fibre optic network across the country in order to enhance Broadband connectivity and deepen digital economy

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

The Federal Government is set to launch a 90,000-kilometre fibre optic network to enhance Broadband connectivity and deepen digital economy across the country.

ConsumerConnect reports Sen. Shuaib Salis, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Cybersecurity, stated this Monday, September 29, 2025, in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun Council.

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Senator Salis, at the programme with the theme, “The Future of Journalism: Navigating AI and Objective Reporting”, predicted an imminent revolution in Nigeria’s digital communication ecosystem.

Nationwide deployment of fibre optic in all states, LGAs and wards

The Federal lawmaker also emphasised that the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is ready to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic Broadband technology across Nigeria.

According to him, the development would cover all states, local governments and wards in the Federation.

He further said: “This government, under President Bola Tinubu, is going to deploy 90,000 kilometres fibre optic broadband across the country.

“Not just in some states, not just in some local governments; there is no ward that will not have fibre optic presence.”

The legislator stated: “A number of studies have confirmed that any 10 percent increase in your fibre penetration in the country will lead to a minimum of two percent increase in your Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.

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“So, just imagine if you deploy more technology; and it is very easy to fathom. Just imagine we have fibre optic in all our wards.

“I just came back from the UN General Assembly with Minister of Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, where we went to preach this to investors to come and invest in Nigeria.”

On challenge of adopting AI in mass communication, journalism

Explaining the downside of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a new technology, Senator Salis stressed that a significant challenge for professional journalists is the potential for AI to worsen the menace of quackery in the industry.

He as well noted importance of integrating technology into the curriculum for Mass Communication and Journalism training.

The lawmaker stated: “The challenge for professional journalists is that AI also has the potential of increasing the incidence of quackery in the profession.

“So, what do we need to do? Our curriculum for Mass Communication and Journalism training institutes must embed technology into the curriculum.

Earlier in his keynote address on the occasion, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, Head of Service (HoS), in Ogun State, had emphasised ethical dimension.

Onasanya observed that Nigeria lacks clear regulatory guidelines on disclosing AI-generated content, including images, audio and video.

The Ogun State HoS urged the leadership of the union to publish a widely adopted Code of Practice to address AI.

Soeaking at the event also, Wale Olanrewaju, Chairman of the council, disclosed the Council has recorded milestones progress and development in less than three years.

AI has changed the way news is gathered, processed and disseminated to consumers.

Olanrewaju also averred: “As a union, our responsibility is to prepare our members not just to adapt, but to lead in this new reality.

“We must ensure that technology enhances our credibility rather than diminish it.”

The event featured a panel discussion moderated by Prof. Dele Odunlami, Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, in Ogun State.

The discussants included Mr Kunle Durosimi, President, Ogun Tech Community and Registrar, West Midlands Open University and Mr. Lekan Adeeko, AI Enthusiast and Co-founder, Tedprime Hub.

The discussants deliberated on the merits and demerits of using AI as journalists.

The speakers at the event urged journalists to maintain professionalism when utilising AI in their work.

They equally highlighted the potential of the new technology to promote national unity and cohesion.

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