More than 20 million Nigerians in communities with little or no reliable telecom coverage are expected to gain access to mobile and internet services as the Federal Government begins deploying about 3,700 telecom towers from October.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, disclosed this while outlining the government’s efforts to extend digital connectivity to rural, riverine and other hard-to-reach areas.
The towers are being deployed under the Nigeria Universal Communication Access Project (NUCAP), which is aimed at taking telecom infrastructure to communities that have largely been left out of commercial network expansion.
Tijani said the government had completed the funding and contractual arrangements for the project, clearing the way for construction and deployment to begin in October.
The minister said the project would focus on areas where network operators have struggled to invest because of difficult terrain, low population density or the high cost of building infrastructure.
For residents in such communities, the lack of connectivity has implications beyond making phone calls. It can restrict access to digital banking, online education, healthcare services, government platforms, markets and employment opportunities.
The government has previously said the programme could reach more than 20 million people, with some earlier estimates putting the potential beneficiaries at over 23 million Nigerians.
China Industrial Bank (CIB) is also expected to play a role in the rollout.
In June, Tijani said the bank had indicated interest in the project following discussions with a delegation led by Peng Shuang, general manager of its Strategic Emerging Industries Business Headquarters.
CIB has committed to supporting the delivery of at least 1,000 tower sites before the end of 2026, according to the minister. The investment would mark the bank’s first project in Nigeria.
The government has described the planned infrastructure as part of its push for a more sustainable telecom network, particularly in communities where conventional infrastructure is expensive and difficult to maintain.
The tower rollout is coming alongside other major connectivity projects being pursued by the Federal Government.
Among them is the planned 90,000-kilometre fibre-optic backbone, which is expected to link states, local government areas and wards and provide the high-capacity infrastructure needed to improve broadband services.
The government is also looking to strengthen satellite connectivity through NIGCOMSAT, while the Nigerian Communications Commission continues to push operators to upgrade their networks and expand 4G and 5G coverage.
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The different projects are expected to tackle separate parts of Nigeria’s connectivity problem, from national fibre infrastructure to mobile coverage in communities that remain commercially unattractive to telecom operators.
The planned towers could also have wider economic implications for rural communities.
Better connectivity would give farmers and small businesses easier access to customers, digital payments, market information and financial services, while schools and health facilities could make greater use of online learning and telemedicine.
However, deploying the towers is only part of the challenge. Keeping them operational will depend on reliable power, network backhaul, security, maintenance and affordable internet services.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
