Nigeria is reaffirming its commitment to bringing digital opportunities to all its citizens, with the Honorable Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, outlining a comprehensive strategy at a stakeholder summit in Lagos, reports ITREALMS.
The Minister acknowledged the nation's progress in expanding connectivity but stressed the urgent need to address the digital divide that still leaves millions of Nigerians behind.
Dr. Tijani highlighted that while Nigeria has made significant strides in expanding connectivity and strengthening its digital technology infrastructure over the past 25 years, millions remain on the fringes of digital transformation, lacking access to reliable connectivity. He pointed out that many communities, particularly rural areas, face significant barriers, including inadequate infrastructure and limited digital literacy.
"Today however, there are still millions of Nigerians on the fringes of digital transformation who are yet to have access to reliable connectivity," the Minister stated. "Many communities-particularly rural areas-face significant barriers, including inadequate infrastructure and limited digital literacy."
The Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) has been a critical instrument in the Federal Government's mission to extend connectivity to these communities. The Minister emphasized that the USPF aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's goal of enabling meaningful and affordable connectivity for all Nigerians.
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, is actively driving transformative projects aimed at unlocking digital opportunities for millions of Nigerians.
These flagship initiatives, he outlined to include:
Project BRIDGE (90,000km Fibre Optic Expansion) to improve broadband penetration.
Project 774 to ensure high-speed connectivity for every local government secretariat.
The Universal Access Project to connect over 20 million Nigerians currently without access.
The National Broadband Alliance of Nigeria (NBAN), a multi-stakeholder effort to drive universal high-quality broadband access.
The 3 Million Technical Talent programme (3MTT) to strengthen the digital ecosystem's workforce.
Dr. Tijani stressed that these projects focus not only on infrastructure but also on enabling businesses, empowering individuals, and unlocking Nigeria's full economic potential. He also emphasized that bridging the digital divide requires strong partnerships across the public and private sectors, development agencies, civil society, and local communities.
To ensure effective collaboration, the Minister outlined four key pillars:
Community Engagement: Understanding and addressing the unique needs of local communities.
Leveraging Existing Infrastructure: Maximizing the value of existing investments to optimize costs and ensure rapid deployment.
Capacity Building: Integrating digital literacy programs, skills training, and entrepreneurship development into the overall strategy.
Sustainable Solutions: Exploring innovative business models, alternative energy solutions, and localized interventions for long-term success.
In conclusion, Dr. Tijani stated that Nigeria is at a defining moment in its digital transformation.
The government has the vision, policy framework, and the will to connect every Nigerian to the digital economy, but partnership is essential. He expressed confidence that with a focus on investment in last-mile connectivity, capacity building, infrastructure development, and enabling policies, universal access to communications and digital literacy for all Nigerians can be achieved by 2030.
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