Minister Reveals $2 Billion Cost to Extend Fiber Optics Nationwide; Confirms 5G Existence in Nigeria
Minister Reveals $2 Billion Cost to Extend Fiber Optics Nationwide; Confirms 5G Existence in Nigeria
Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, disclosed on Tuesday that it would require an estimated $2 billion to lay fibre optics cables across Nigeria.
Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, the minister also affirmed the existence of the Fifth-Generation (5G) network in Nigeria, emphasizing that the infrastructure supporting this advanced technology is not yet ubiquitous in the country.
“We do, in some places,” Minister Tijani stated when questioned about the presence of 5G in Nigeria. “The infrastructure that drives 5G is not something that is across the nation. So, if you subscribe to 5G and move into locations where the infrastructure cannot support it, of course, the quality will drop. 5G exists in Nigeria, and there are telcos with the license.”
Tijani underscored the government’s commitment to expanding the kilometres of fibre optics cables, revealing the current coverage is approximately 35 to 40 kilometres with a target of reaching 95,000 km. The projected cost for wiring the entire country is estimated to be between $1.5 billion to $2 billion.
“We are about 35 to 40 kilometres right now, and the goal is to go to 95,000 km,” he explained. “It’s going to cost us roughly about $1.5 billion to $2 billion to wire the entire Nigeria.”
Expressing optimism, the minister expressed hopes that, under his leadership, the Ministry would achieve the ambitious goal of wiring Nigeria within the first four years of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
Tijani emphasized the government’s intention to connect essential facilities such as schools, hospitals, government offices, and other vital places with fibre cables, anticipating improvements in public service delivery.
In addressing potential challenges, Tijani disclosed his efforts to designate telecoms infrastructure as critical national assets to safeguard against vandalism, showcasing the government’s commitment to advancing digital connectivity across the nation.
