Nigeria’s FEC approves 4,000 new telecoms towers to enhance rural connectivity

*The Nigerian Government approves the deployment of 4,000 additional telecoms towers to boost digital access cum inclusin underserved communities across the West African country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), the highest decision-making organ of the Nigerian Government, has approved the deployment of 4,000 additional telecoms towers to boost digital access in underserved communities across the country.

‎ConsumerConnect reports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presided over the FEC meeting Wednesday, in the State House, Abuja, FCT.

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Earlier, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE) had announced to Nigerians, that the Federal Government would roll out 4,000 more telecoms towers to improve rural digital connectivity across the country.

‎Briefing the State House Correspondents after the weekly meeting Wednesday, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Honourable Minister for Information and National Orientation, said the FEC approval of the installation of telecoms towers followed a joint memo in the Council.

‎Idris said: “There is also an approval by FEC granted to the Ministry of Digital Communications and the Ministry of Finance to establish service centres for agricultural mechanisation and the digital economy on the deployment of towers to places that are currently underserved.”

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Explaining the core aim of the government’s approval for the digital project, the Minister noted the initiative targets communities lacking basic digital connectivity and economic inclusion in Nigeria.

“Under that programme, about 4,000 towers will be erected in underserved communities.

“The presentation of the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy indicates that about 23 million Nigerians are currently underserved, meaning that they are unable to do anything,” stated he.

He stressed that limited digital access has hindered economic participation and basic communication in remote areas of Nigeria.

‎‎In terms of benefits to telecoms consumers in the underserved communities, the Minister emphasised the approval for additional digital infrastructure would also strengthen national security and boost commerce in rural communities.

‎Idris asserted: ‎“Indeed, this will also help in fighting insecurity and enhancing commerce and economic activity amongst the people of Nigeria.”

He equally disclosed the FEC issued new directives to intensify project prioritisation across government agencies.

Besides, FEC further approved service centres for agricultural mechanisation across the six geopolitical zones to boost year-round farming or enhanced food and nutrition security.

‎“There was also a decision taken by the Federal Executive Council to establish service centers for agricultural mechanisation in the six geopolitical zones,” said Idris.

Minister Idris noted the FEC resolutions aligned with the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), earlier presented by the Ministers for Finance and Budget.

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