The Nigerian Government is set to accelerate telecom infrastructure development in rural areas, targeting the installation of 1,000 new telecommunications towers in 2026 as part of a broader strategy to expand digital connectivity and bridge longstanding access gaps.
Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a briefing on the National Digital Economy Research Clusters Programme, part of the World Bank-backed Project BRIDGE.
Tijani revealed that “The president has approved 3,700 towers nationwide… we are working to deliver at least 1,000 of these this year,” noting that more than 20 million Nigerians remain in areas without any form of connectivity.
He explained that the tower rollout is part of a broader digital infrastructure strategy, which includes deploying 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic network across all states, local governments, and wards. “If we have a ubiquitous fibre network across Nigeria, complaints about service quality will change completely… true connectivity requires fibre,” Tijani emphasized.
The government’s strategy also includes upgrading communication satellites and expanding digital access, a combination the minister described as unprecedented among developing countries.
Tijani highlighted the launch of the National Digital Economy Research Clusters, a university-led initiative designed to support evidence-based policymaking. Each of the six clusters will bring together leading academics, supported by postdoctoral researchers and PhD candidates, with over 200 researchers expected to contribute over three years.
Backed by N12 billion over three years, the programme is intended to generate data-driven insights to guide both government and private sector decisions. International collaborations are expected to complement domestic research efforts.
On governance, Tijani said the clusters will operate under a structured framework with the communications and education ministries, alongside independent management to ensure transparency and accountability.
The minister also noted that the digital economy’s contribution to GDP has risen to nearly 20 per cent, with a target of 21 per cent next year. He highlighted flagship initiatives such as the 3 Million Technical Talent programme, which aims to build technology capacity across all 774 local government areas.
Nigeria continues to attract Africa’s largest telecom investment inflows, with operations of major firms in the country exceeding those in their home markets.
Tijani further revealed that the Digital Economy Bill is before the National Assembly to provide a unified legal framework, alongside plans for a national data exchange system, AI strategy, and digital postcode system to enhance service delivery and commerce.
He added that Nigeria ranks 35th globally in policy capacity, anchored by the National Strategy, and 49th in development and diffusion, reflecting growing strength in research, talent, and innovation.
The minister linked the research clusters to Project BRIDGE, a programme that includes 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic network and 3,700 towers to expand rural connectivity. “If we have a ubiquitous fibre network across Nigeria, the complaints today about connectivity quality will change completely,” he said.
Each cluster will operate under annual targets for publications, workshops, and training.
Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to repositioning Nigeria’s education system to support economic growth, prioritizing connectivity for schools and hospitals. He disclosed a $2 billion World Bank facility to fund fibre expansion.
The research clusters are expected to address digital governance, online safety, job creation, and agricultural innovation, while building capacity among postgraduate researchers. Alausa emphasized that the programme would catalyze further investment and stimulate entrepreneurship through equity-free student grants.
Academic leaders, including the Vice-Chancellors of Olabisi Onabanjo University and Ajayi Crowther University, commended the initiative, noting its potential to accelerate digital transformation, reduce brain drain, and integrate universities fully into the digital economy.
The planned rollout is part of the government’s broader 3,700-tower rural connectivity plan, initially announced in December 2025, which aims to connect millions of Nigerians currently without reliable mobile or internet access.
Tijani said the clusters are designed to address key areas including connectivity, digital public infrastructure, skills development, jobs, consumer protection, and artificial intelligence. “The digital economy is a knowledge-driven sector. We cannot rely only on ideas developed elsewhere. We must generate our own insights, rooted in our realities,” he said.
The initiative reflects Nigeria’s broader ambition to expand the digital economy, which has grown from contributing 16–18 per cent of GDP when the current administration took office to nearly 20 per cent today, on track to meet the government’s 21 per cent target.
The growth has been supported by investments in talent development, infrastructure expansion through Project BRIDGE and NUCAP, and strengthened space and communications capabilities, including the approval of two new satellites.
Tijani emphasized that universities must evolve beyond teaching to become engines of problem-solving. He cited previous government-supported research efforts in artificial intelligence, which produced 27 peer-reviewed publications from 45 funded projects in 2023 alone, as evidence of Nigeria’s growing research capacity.
“The Digital Economy Research Clusters will bring together universities, researchers, and global partners into focused clusters that directly inform policy and innovation,” Tijani explained. He highlighted that the clusters aim to build long-term research capacity, strengthen policy, and deepen Nigeria’s ability to adopt and deploy technology effectively.
The launch represents a major step toward ensuring that Nigeria not only adopts emerging technologies but also generates the research and talent needed to shape and influence the global digital landscape.
“It’s not just about the 200 researchers. It’s the cascading effect that will happen afterwards. The initiative won’t stop here; it will continue to grow from what we’re starting today,” he said.
