• Federal Executive Council approves 4,000 new telecom towers for underserved communities.

• Nigeria targets wider rural connectivity after reporting 23 million unconnected people.

• The rollout complements plans for 7,000 additional towers, satellite links and 90,000 km of fibre.

Nigeria remains Africa’s largest telecom market with 175 million mobile subscriptions and 142.6 million Internet subscriptions for a population of about 233 million. However, the GSMA estimated that 120 million Nigerians did not use mobile Internet in 2023.

The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved the deployment of 4,000 telecommunications towers across underserved communities nationwide. The government designed the initiative to narrow the digital divide as 23 million people remain unconnected, according to official data.

Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris announced the decision after the Council’s meeting at Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. “The deployment should significantly improve rural connectivity, stimulate commerce and strengthen security surveillance in areas currently without network coverage,” he said.

Earlier this year, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani confirmed government plans for 7,000 additional telecom towers to reduce the digital divide. The project will start in 2026 through a public-private partnership. The strategy also expands satellite connectivity through NigComSat, authorises mobile virtual network operators, and supports the rollout of 90,000 km of fibre-optic infrastructure.

Government efforts continue in a context where 61% of rural Nigerians lacked connectivity in July 2024, according to official figures. The International Telecommunication Union reported that 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G networks covered 95.3%, 89.4%, 84.6%, and 13.3% of the country respectively in 2024. Internet penetration stood at 39.2% in 2023, while 72.7% of Nigerians owned a mobile phone. The GSMA also estimated that about 120 million people had no mobile-Internet access in 2023.

While these measures expand national telecom infrastructure, analysts warn that adoption may lag. Key constraints include smartphone ownership, the ability to purchase data consistently, digital literacy, and the perceived usefulness of available services.

This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum