No Strong Economy Without Connectivity, Says Minister Bosun Tijani

Government targets nationwide fibre rollout and research-driven digital policy.

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By A1 News Desk | Abuja, Nigeria

Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has stated that sustainable economic growth is impossible without robust digital connectivity. He emphasised the need for infrastructure expansion and research-backed policy to drive the country’s digital economy.

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV monitored by Baron Eloagu, Tijani said connectivity underpins key sectors including commerce, education, and media, stressing that Nigeria must significantly scale its digital infrastructure to match rising demand.

According to the minister, internet usage in Nigeria has grown dramatically over the past decade—estimated at nearly 90 times previous levels—driven by increased reliance on digital services such as online banking, messaging platforms, and social media.

However, he noted that infrastructure investment has not kept pace with this surge, resulting in slower internet speeds and connectivity challenges.

To address the gap, the government is pursuing a nationwide fibre expansion project aimed at deploying 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable across the country. The initiative is expected to extend internet access to all geopolitical zones, states, local governments, and wards within three to five years.

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Tijani disclosed that the government plans to contribute up to 49 percent of the project funding—estimated at over $850 million—while mobilising private sector investment to cover the remainder. The project is being supported by the World Bank.

He clarified that while the government will catalyse funding, it will not directly manage the infrastructure, leaving operations to private sector players.

Bridging the Infrastructure Gap

The minister acknowledged that Nigeria’s connectivity challenges stem from a mismatch between data consumption growth and infrastructure investment, calling for accelerated deployment of digital backbone systems.

Research to Drive Policy and Innovation

Tijani also highlighted plans to establish six research clusters across Nigerian institutions, each funded with $1.5 million over three years. The goal, he said, is to generate evidence-based insights that can directly inform policy and support innovation within the digital economy.

Nigeria’s economic diversification depends heavily on digital transformation. Without adequate connectivity and data-driven policy, growth in key sectors could remain constrained despite rising demand.