Nigeria bets on telecom towers to bridge digital divide
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In a bold push to deepen network coverage and improve digital connectivity, the Federal Government of Nigeria will co-invest with private sector partners to deploy 7,000 telecommunications towers from next year. The initiative is aimed at closing the digital divide and reaching millions of Nigerians in underserved regions.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, announced the plan in Lagos on Thursday during a stakeholder engagement session organised by the Universal Service Provision Fund.
A telecom tower is a crucial piece of infrastructure that supports antennas and equipment for wireless transmission, enabling mobile network coverage and internet connectivity. With an estimated 25 to 30 million Nigerians still lacking reliable telecom access, the government sees this as an essential step towards digital inclusion.
Public-private partnership modelUnder the investment framework, the government will hold a 49 per cent stake, while private investors will contribute the remaining 51 per cent. Tijani emphasised that, while the government will provide funding, the towers will be managed by private companies to ensure efficiency and sustainability.
“The government has decided that if private capital cannot reach these areas, then we must step in and invest public funds in these towers to ensure our people have access,” said Tijani.
“You may ask, why is the government investing in this instead of other sectors like education? But in today’s world, anyone without connectivity is effectively cut off from opportunities and modern realities.”
The Federal Executive Council gave formal approval for the construction of these towers on 27 February as part of a wider strategy to enhance digital inclusion in rural and underserved areas. The towers will be rolled out alongside a $2bn investment in 90,000km of fibre optic cables, a project undertaken in collaboration with the World Bank to improve broadband penetration.
Mapping connectivity gapsTo ensure optimal deployment, the government will conduct a nationwide study to assess existing telecom infrastructure and identify the most strategic locations for tower placement. Tijani stressed that the goal is to ensure that every part of the country is within close proximity to high-speed connectivity.
“We will leverage existing government and private sector infrastructure to optimise deployment,” he added.
Security and sustainabilityThe project, however, faces concerns over the safety of telecom infrastructure, particularly vandalism and sabotage. Acknowledging these risks, Tijani pointed out that President Bola Tinubu had, in 2023, classified telecommunications infrastructure as critical national infrastructure—a status typically reserved for military installations.
“Those who destroy these assets will now face serious consequences,” he warned, adding that enhanced security measures would be put in place to safeguard the towers.
With construction expected to begin early next year, the government is optimistic that the initiative will be a game-changer for Nigeria’s digital economy. The project aligns with the country’s National Broadband Plan, which seeks to boost internet access, drive economic growth, and position Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s digital transformation.
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