Minister of Finance and Coordinating Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, right, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr. Bosun Tijani, Ibrahim Adeyanju, the Director General of Galaxy Backbone
Nigeria moves to become Africa’s third-largest terrestrial fibre-optic network
Nigeria is set to become Africa’s third-largest terrestrial fibre-optic infrastructure hub which will transform the continent.
The Federal Ministry of Communications, Digital Economy, and Information Technology, under the leadership of FMCIDENigeria, will oversee the implementation of this ambitious project.
This was disclosed at a workshop, organized by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Digital Economy, and Information Technology (FMCIDENigeria)
The event marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ambition to enhance its connectivity through a $2 billion Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) initiative.
The groundbreaking project aims to extend the nation’s fibre-optic backbone by 90,000 km, thereby positioning Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s digital infrastructure landscape.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, addressed the Fibre Forward Strategic Development Workshop in Abuja.
In his address, Edun emphasized the Federal Government’s steadfast commitment to the project’s success.
He highlighted the initiative’s potential to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and empower the nation technologically.
He said, “This project underscores our dedication to bridging the digital divide and fostering a digitally driven economy.
“The Fibre Forward initiative represents a monumental step towards achieving comprehensive digital connectivity across Nigeria, ensuring that the nation remains competitive in the global digital economy.
“The extension of the fibre-optic network will not only enhance internet speed and reliability but also support a wide range of digital services, from e-commerce to telemedicine, benefiting millions of Nigerians.
“The Ministry’s efforts are aligned with the government’s broader goal of achieving sustainable economic development through technological innovation and infrastructure development.
“As Nigeria progresses towards becoming Africa’s third-largest terrestrial fibre-optic infrastructure, this initiative is expected to attract significant foreign investment, bolster the tech industry, and position Nigeria as a digital leader on the continent.”
Indeed, the Federal Government called for the critical role of public-private partnerships in achieving significant improvements in public service delivery and reaching a 70 per cent digitalisation target by 2025.
This was articulated by Ibrahim Adeyanju, the Director General of Galaxy Backbone, during the one-day 1Government Cloud digitalisation retreat for Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in Abuja.
Adeyanju emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing service delivery through a unified Government Service Portal, which will provide seamless access to services from all MDAs.