President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says an ambitious nationwide rollout of fibre optic cables is part of his administration’s transformative digital infrastructure drive that aims to bridge Nigeria’s connectivity divide and equip the youth to thrive in a globalised digital economy.
The President, who said this today while addressing a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja to commemorate Democracy Day 2025, says the bold initiative will revolutionise internet access, boost entrepreneurship, and strengthen Nigeria’s economic backbone.
The ambitious fibre optic programme, codenamed Project BRIDGE, is announced earlier this year by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy for the buildout of a 90,000km fibre‑optic backbone infrastructure. The ₦3.078 trillion ($2 billion) fibre‑optic initiative will be implemented under a public–private partnership (PPP) model that will see the Nigerian government retain a 25–49 percent stake through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), while private investors provide the remainder.
“In addition,” President Tinubu says in the Democracy Day address, “we have embarked on an ambitious project to lay fibre optic cables across the nation — a transformative step toward bridging the digital divide and fostering greater connectivity. This initiative promises not only to enhance the speed and reliability of internet access but also to revolutionise how businesses operate, how students learn, and how communities stay connected. By extending this critical infrastructure, we are empowering entrepreneurs, enabling digital education, and providing the tools for our youth to compete in a globalised world.”
Tinubu: We have embarked on an ambitious project to lay fibre optic cables across Nigeria
“In addition,” President Tinubu says in the Democracy Day address, “we have embarked on an ambitious project to lay fibre optic cables across the nation — a transformative step toward bridging the digital divide and fostering greater connectivity. This initiative promises not only to enhance the speed and reliability of internet access but also to revolutionise how businesses operate, how students learn, and how communities stay connected. By extending this critical infrastructure, we are empowering entrepreneurs, enabling digital education, and providing the tools for our youth to compete in a globalised world.”
The broadband push comes as Nigeria seeks to deepen digital inclusion, reduce infrastructure gaps across underserved regions, and position itself as a competitive hub in the global knowledge economy.
The rollout of fibre infrastructure, long viewed as the cornerstone of national digital transformation, is expected to unlock opportunities for millions of Nigerians by enabling access to remote education, digital healthcare, e-commerce, financial services, and e-government.
From the heart of Nigeria’s seat of government, Tinubu assures lawmakers and the nation that this technology backbone will empower local entrepreneurs and learners with the tools they need to compete on a global stage.
“We are empowering entrepreneurs, enabling digital education, and providing the tools for our youth to compete in a globalised world,” the President says.
His remarks, steeped in a vision of modernisation, reflect a growing urgency to align Nigeria’s digital infrastructure with global standards amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has said that the successful deployment of fibre optic cables will catalyse job creation, increase investor confidence, and drive down broadband costs for everyday users.
President Tinubu’s administration has previously promised aggressive broadband penetration targets under the Nigeria National Broadband Plan, and this latest update signals renewed vigour to deliver on that front.
While outlining a broader economic and democratic reform agenda in his Democracy Day speech, Tinubu underscores the centrality of digital infrastructure to Nigeria’s socio-economic progress.
The President also highlights recent economic indicators, including a 3.4% GDP growth in 2024 and a stabilised naira, as early signs that structural reforms are beginning to bear fruit. “Our improved economic performance validates the soundness of our policy measures,” he notes.
Technology industry stakeholders have long advocated for enhanced fibre deployment to meet rising data demands in the country, where access to high-speed internet remains unequal across urban and rural areas.
Digital inclusion advocates say this investment in fibre infrastructure can narrow the digital gap between Nigeria’s fast-growing youth population and their global peers, offering a lifeline to innovation hubs, small businesses, and tech startups outside major cities.
In a nation where young people comprise more than 60% of the population, the digital leap powered by fibre optics may become one of the defining legacies of Tinubu’s administration.
As Nigeria marks 26 years of unbroken democracy, Tinubu’s address strikes a hopeful chord about technology’s role in democratising opportunity.
“Governance must work and deliver value to the people,” he says.
By extending critical connectivity infrastructure, the President is positioning digital technology not only as an economic driver but also as a democratising force that reflects the aspirations of a new, connected generation of Nigerians.
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