The Federal Government is set to begin the rollout of a 90,000-kilometre fibre optic network across Nigeria within the next few weeks, marking the start of one of the country’s largest digital infrastructure projects aimed at expanding broadband access and accelerating the digital economy.

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, disclosed this after briefing President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on the progress of key digital transformation initiatives under his ministry.

According to the minister, all financing, procurement and contractual processes for the nationwide fibre project have been completed, clearing the way for physical deployment.

“We’re now at the point where, in a few weeks’ time, we should start laying the fibre. People will begin to see deployment activities across the country. This project is going to transform Nigeria for good,” Tijani said.

He explained that the fibre optic network would extend to every state, geopolitical zone, local government area and ward, significantly improving internet access, service quality and digital connectivity nationwide.

“This is a project where every state, every geopolitical zone, every local government and every ward in this country will be covered with fibre optic cables, transforming the quality of connectivity,” he added.

Tijani attributed the sector’s recent growth to reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, including the designation of digital infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure, telecommunications tariff adjustments and tax harmonisation.

He noted that the communications sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has risen from between 16 and 18 per cent when the administration assumed office to nearly 21 per cent.

“The sector has benefited from several long-standing reforms. These policies have strengthened investor confidence and accelerated growth,” he said.

The minister also announced that the Federal Government would begin deploying about 3,700 telecommunications towers from October to provide mobile network coverage to more than 20 million Nigerians living in underserved and unserved communities.

According to him, the President has approved the project, while funding arrangements have been completed.

“Before the end of the year, we will begin deploying close to 3,700 towers. It has taken considerable effort to put the project together and raise the required capital, but we are now ready to commence deployment around October,” Tijani said.

He further revealed that Nigeria would officially launch a new alphanumeric postcode system on October 1, describing it as one of the most advanced digital addressing systems in the world.

The new system, he explained, will assign a unique address to every property in the country, making it easier to locate homes and businesses, improve logistics, boost e-commerce, enhance emergency response services and strengthen public service delivery.

“Our alphanumeric postcode is unique because it provides a distinct address for every property. Unlike many countries where one postcode covers several buildings, Nigeria’s system will identify each building individually. That will significantly improve service delivery and transform sectors such as e-commerce and logistics,” he said.

The minister said the combined rollout of nationwide fibre infrastructure, telecommunications towers and the digital postcode system would lay a stronger foundation for Nigeria’s digital economy, improve connectivity and drive inclusive economic growth.