*Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, National Chairman, All Progressives Congress, affirms the Nigerian Government’s fresh fibre optic project is set to take the country’s combined digital backbone from current 35,000 kilometres to about 125,000 kilometres, connecting over 200,000 schools, health facilities, and other public institutions to last-mile connectivity
Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect
Nigerian telecoms consumers in all the nooks and crannies of the West African country soon are to witness enhanced digital inclusion, data services, improved backhaul infrastructure and last-mile connectivity.
Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, National Chairman of the governing All Progressives Party, said he observed that fibre infrastructure has remained “heavily concentrated” in major urban centres, including Lagos and Abuja, FCT.
Prof. Yilwatda, National Chairman of APC, during a virtual executive session with the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the information technology industry Wednesday, October 7.
ConsumerConnect reports the Federal Government’s digital initiative is scheduled to deploy and deliver over 90,000 kilometres of open-access fibre across the 36 states of the Federation by 2028.
Earlier, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Honourable for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, had announced to Nigerians that the massive fibre optic infrastructure project would commence October this year.
It is noted that the fibre optic project, when completed, is expected to take Nigeria’s combined backbone from about 35,000 kilometres to around 125,000 kilometres and connect over 200,000 schools, health facilities and other public institutions in the West African country.
Yilwatda speaks on affordable connectivity infrastructure for consumers
Speaking further at the forum, Prof. Yilwatda, National Chairman of APC, also described digital infrastructure as fundamental to Nigeria’s economic transformation.
The country’s ambitions in Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, digital inclusion, and a technology-driven economy could not be achieved without robust and affordable connectivity infrastructure.
The National Chairman of the party said the Federal Government’s Project BRIDGE, designed to deploy 90,000 kilometres of open-access fibre across the country, represented one of the most significant infrastructure interventions in Nigeria’s digital space.
The Federal Government had incorporated “Bridge Open Access”, in August, as an independent company to deliver the network, with government, through the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), expected to hold between 25 and 49 percent.
Yilwatda affirmed that private investors would hold between 51 and 75 percent and retain operational control of the Project BRIDGE.
He further explained the structure was deliberately designed to ensure that government provides the necessary de-risking and strategic support.
According to him, the And But the private sector of the economy brings operational discipline, investment and efficiency to the project, the Chairman stated.
The APC National Chairman as well acknowledged that about $800 million in sovereign financing was already secured for the initiative.
As Minister Dr. Tijani has said too, the funding arrangement comprises $500 million from the World Bank, $100 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and $200 million from the African Development Bank (AfDB), besides a €22 million grant from the European Union (EU).
Significant, last-mile connectivity project implementation begins October
Affirming the fibre infrastructure project execution timeline, Prof. Yilwatda said the physical rollout of the project has been scheduled to commence October 2026.
The delivery period has been reduced from five years to three years, and completion now targeted for 2028, noted he.
Mr. Abimbola Tooki, Special Adviser to the National Chairman of APC on Media and Information Strategy, Thursday, October 8, stated Yilwatda said: “When completed, the project is expected to take Nigeria’s combined backbone from about 35,000 kilometres to around 125,000 kilometres and connect more than 200,000 schools, health facilities and other public institutions.”
He, however, cautioned that the success of the initiative would depend on moving beyond policy announcements to actual implementation.
Said the National Chairman: “Announcements do not lay cable.”
Yilwatda also emphasised that about $1.2 billion was still required from private capital to complete the financing needs of the project.
On key reasons for nationwide rollout of fibre infrastructure
Yilwatda stated that fibre deployment alone would not automatically translate into digital inclusion without complementary investments in electricity, affordable devices, affordable data services, towers, backhaul infrastructure and last-mile connectivity in the digital ecosystem.
He equally observed that fibre infrastructure has remained heavily concentrated in major urban centres, with Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), accounting for over 18 percent of deployed fibre, while fibre-to-the-home penetration remained relatively low, with approximately 265,000 subscribers nationwide.
The governing party leader, therefore, advocated stronger collaboration between political leadership, governments at all levels and the private sector to remove the obstacles hindering improved digital infrastructure in the Nigerian economy.
Some factors hindering deployment of fibre infrastructure nationwide
Among other factors, the National Chairman as well identified Right-of-Way (RoW) charges, and inconsistent regulatory requirements as some of the major impediments confronting telecoms operators also known as the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).
Aside from these, Prof. Yilwatda said telecoms operators had continued to face varying Right-of-Way charges, multiple permits and, in some instances, the destruction of already-installed telecommunications infrastructure by state and local government authorities.
According to him, the APC, as the governing party at the federal level and in many states, possesses a unique political platform that can be deployed to address the challenge.
He announced that the APC National Secretariat would work with the Progressive Governors’ Forum and APC state chapters to promote harmonised and cost-reflective Right-of-Way terms, as well as practical measures to protect telecommunications infrastructure in APC-governed states.
He also extended the invitation to governors elected on the platforms of other political parties, stressing that digital infrastructure was a national development issue that should transcend partisan politics.
“Infrastructure has no party. Our objective should be to create an environment in which every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation or location, can benefit from the digital economy,” he said.
Prof. Yilwatda further called for the protection of fibre-optic infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure, noting that vandalism and accidental damage to fibre cables could undermine major public and private investments in digital connectivity.
The National Chairman also advocated stronger coordination between road construction and telecommunications infrastructure development.
He observed that a significant number of fibre cuts were caused by road construction, excavation and other civil works.
Yilwatda described the situation as a coordination failure that could be prevented through better planning.
The National Chairman of APC applauded the Federal Ministries of Works and Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE) for inaugurating a Standing Committee on the Protection of Fibre Optic Cables, but urged that the initiative be extended to states and local governments.
He proposed that every Federal and state road contract should incorporate provisions for telecoms ducts and require contractors to identify and protect existing fibre infrastructure before excavation.
He also stated: “Building a road and destroying a Broadband link in the same month is not development. It is waste.”
As regards what the governing party at the centre will do ensure effective implementation of the government’s project BRIDGE, he said the APC would use its “political structures” to encourage greater coordination between state governments, local authorities, road contractors and telecoms operators in Nigeria.
On future of new technologies in Nigeria’s digital space
Speaking on the future of Artificial Intelligence, cloud computing, and establishment of data centres in Nigeria, Prof. Yilwatda said the next decade would be defined significantly by the rapid development and application of AI.
He averred that Nigeria must make a strategic decision to become an active participant and beneficiary of the AI revolution rather than merely becoming a consumer of technologies developed elsewhere around the world.
The statement noted the National Chairman said: “The question for Nigeria is not whether AI will shape our economy.
“It will. The question is whether we will shape it, or simply rent it.”
Of NAIS and National Digital Cloud Policy
Highlighting the Nigerian Government and industry’s efforts at enabling the country’s data-centre capacity, Prof. Yilwatda affirmed that the authorities had already designed a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS), while the Federal Government also unveiled the National Digital Cloud Policy.
He said the instruments were designed to attract approximately $750 million in private investment into cloud and data infrastructure within 24 months, with $250 million targeted within the first year.
Besides, the government and industry are also working towards expanding Nigeria’s data-centre capacity from approximately 50 megawatts (MW) to 200 megawatts (MW) of IT load over the next five years.
Describing these targets as “ambitious and necessary”, Prof. Yilwatda emphasised that their achievement would require parallel investment in energy infrastructure as well.
He explained that data centres and AI infrastructure are “highly energy-intensive” and that Nigeria’s digital ambitions could not be separated from its power-sector reforms.
The National Chairman stated: “An AI strategy without an energy strategy is incomplete.”
Yilwatda: Dangers of making digital sovereignty become protectionism
He further advocated the prioritisation of digital infrastructure in the country’s power-sector planning.
Yilwatda urged improved use of embedded generation, renewable power purchase arrangements and reliable gas supply to digital infrastructure clusters.
He equally addressed the question of “data sovereignty”, and the participation of local and international technology companies in the burgeoning Nigeria Digital Economy.
The Chairman, therefore, expressed support for the Federal Government’s policy direction favouring certified local providers in public procurement where appropriate.
According to him, strengthening domestic capacity, and ensuring that critical data is adequately protected are legitimate national objectives.
He, however, warned against allowing digital sovereignty to become protectionism that could increase costs, discourage investment or prevent Nigeria from accessing global expertise and technology.