THE Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), has commenced a strategic training programme to equip telecom regulators, policymakers and industry players with the skills required to support Nigeria’s 90,000-kilometre fibre optic rollout.

The five-day capacity-building programme was formally declared open in Abuja on Monday, drawing participants from Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa, as part of efforts to deepen digital inclusion and strengthen broadband infrastructure in line with national and global development goals.

Delivering a goodwill message, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, described the initiative as timely and critical to Nigeria’s digital transformation drive.

“This capacity-building initiative reflects the growing recognition that robust and well-regulated fibre optic infrastructure is the foundation for any digital transformation agenda,” he said.

Represented by the Commission’s  Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, the EVC noted that the Federal Government, through Project BRIDGE, is working to deploy an additional 90,000 kilometres of fibre cables nationwide to expand connectivity across all 774 local government areas.

He explained that the initiative is expected to accelerate economic growth and improve service delivery in key sectors, including education, healthcare, agriculture and governance.

Maida stressed that the training directly aligns with the fibre expansion plan, as it is designed to build the human capacity required to plan, deploy and regulate such a large-scale infrastructure project.

“This programme will equip participants with the strategic insights and practical tools needed to accelerate fibre rollout, improve regulatory efficiency and strengthen collaboration across the ecosystem,” he added.

Despite the progress, he identified major constraints such as high right-of-way charges, bureaucratic bottlenecks and infrastructure vandalism as persistent challenges to broadband expansion.

According to him, the NCC has intensified collaboration with state governments and other stakeholders, leading to the waiver of right-of-way charges in 13 states, a move already attracting increased investment in the sector.

He also referenced the 2024 presidential order designating telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure, noting that it provides a framework for coordinated protection of telecom assets nationwide.

In his welcome address, the President/CEO of DBI, Mr David Daser, represented by the Director, Special Duties, Viola Askia-Usoro, said the programme marks a significant milestone in efforts to develop the technical and regulatory expertise needed to deliver Nigeria’s fibre ambitions.

“This programme represents a bold effort to bridge the digital divide and empower citizens to participate meaningfully in the global digital economy,” he said.

Daser explained that the training was deliberately structured to support large-scale initiatives such as the 90,000km fibre project, noting that infrastructure expansion without skilled manpower would limit the impact of such investments.

He said the curriculum focuses on key areas including fibre planning and deployment, regulatory frameworks, infrastructure sharing and stakeholder engagement competencies required to successfully execute nationwide broadband projects.

According to him, DBI’s collaboration with ITU, supported by the European Union, reflects a shared commitment to building resilient, inclusive and future-ready digital infrastructure across Africa.