FG approves two new communications satellites to boost $1tn economy drive

The Federal Government has approved the procurement of two new communications satellites to bolster Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, a key component of President Bola Tinubu’s plan to grow the economy to $1 trillion.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr. Bosun Tijani, announced the approval in Abuja on Wednesday at a press conference marking Global Privacy Day 2026.

He stated this marks a significant shift, as Nigeria is currently the only country in West Africa without active communication satellites.

Tijani also reported substantial progress on the national 90,000-kilometre fibre optic backbone project, noting that approximately 60% of the work is complete and funding for the remainder is secured. He emphasized that expanding connectivity must be paired with robust data protection to build public trust, describing the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) as central to this effort.

Separately, the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Mr. Vincent Olatunji, revealed that Nigeria’s data protection sector has grown into a N16.2 billion industry, generating over 23,000 jobs.

He attributed this growth to stricter regulation under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, which has also enhanced the country’s appeal to foreign investors.

Olatunji outlined several achievements, including the registration of 38,677 Data Controllers and Processors, the licensing of 307 Compliance Organisations, and the conclusion of 246 data breach investigations.

He stated the commission’s priorities for the year include stepped-up enforcement of the Data Protection Act and scaling nationwide awareness campaigns.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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