FG to roll out 90,000km fibre across Nigeria by 2028

The Federal Government plans to lay down 90,000 kilometres of open-access fibre across Nigeria's 36 states by 2028. This is part of Project BRIDGE, an initiative aimed at improving broadband access nationwide.

Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, shared this news during a virtual meeting with top executives in the information technology sector. He explained that once the project is finished, Nigeria's total fibre backbone will increase from about 35,000 kilometres to 125,000 kilometres. This will help connect over 200,000 schools, health centres, and other public institutions.

Yilwatda released a statement through his Special Adviser on Media and Information, Abimbola Tooki, on Thursday. He said digital infrastructure is essential for Nigeria's economic growth. According to him, the country's goals in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital inclusion cannot be met without affordable and reliable internet access.

He announced that the physical rollout of Project BRIDGE will start in October 2026. The government has cut the project timeline from five years to three years. About $800 million in funding has already been secured for the initiative.

The statement mentioned, "The Federal Government set up Bridge Open Access as an independent company in August to manage the network. The government will hold between 25 and 49 per cent of the company, while private investors will hold between 51 and 75 per cent and manage operations."

Yilwatda said this setup is meant to ensure that the government provides necessary support while private investors bring efficiency and investment to the project. He confirmed that the $800 million funding includes $500 million from the World Bank, $100 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and $200 million from the African Development Bank. There is also a €22 million grant from the European Union.

The physical deployment will start in October 2026, and the project is expected to be completed by 2028. Yilwatda added, "When finished, the project will expand Nigeria's fibre backbone from about 35,000 kilometres to around 125,000 kilometres and connect more than 200,000 schools, health centres, and other public institutions."

He warned that the project's success depends on real implementation, saying, "Announcements do not lay cable." He stressed that about $1.2 billion is still needed from private investors to fully fund the project.

Yilwatda also pointed out that just laying fibre will not guarantee digital inclusion. He mentioned the need for more investments in electricity, affordable devices, low-cost data services, and proper infrastructure.

He noted that most fibre infrastructure is in big cities, with Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory making up over 18 per cent of the total. He mentioned that fibre-to-the-home connections are still low, with only about 265,000 users in Nigeria.

Yilwatda identified challenges for telecom operators, including high right-of-way charges and confusing regulations. He said the APC would team up with the Progressive Governors’ Forum and state chapters to create better right-of-way terms and protect telecom infrastructure.

He called for better protection of fibre-optic networks as Critical National Information Infrastructure. He warned that vandalism and damage from road construction could harm investments in digital connectivity. He suggested that road construction contracts should include plans for telecom ducts and proper protection for existing fibre.

In discussing the future of artificial intelligence and cloud computing, Yilwatda said the next ten years will be crucial for AI development. He emphasized that Nigeria needs to take part in this technology rather than just consuming it.

He stated, "The question for Nigeria is not whether AI will shape our economy. It will. The question is whether we will shape it, or simply rent it."

Yilwatda noted that Nigeria already has a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. The Federal Government has also introduced the National Digital Cloud Policy, aiming to attract around $750 million in private investment into cloud and data infrastructure in the next two years, with $250 million expected in the first year.

The Federal Government is focusing on digital infrastructure to improve broadband access, strengthen the digital economy, and support new technologies like AI and cloud computing. Project BRIDGE aims to close the gaps in fibre connectivity and bring reliable internet access to public institutions and underserved communities.