…In line with plan to connect 20 million unconnected Nigerians
…Acknowledges Deputy Speaker Kalu’s efforts

Residents in Bende Local Government Area in Abia state trooped out in large number on Friday 16 October, 2026, rejoicing and applauding, as the Federal Government through the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani formally launched the NUCAP TOWER digital connectivity infrastructure
located within the Bende Council area which has capacity to serve the area with digital tele and internet service

While performing the flagg off in the presence of the Deputy Speaker ( DS ) of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, who represents this Bende Federal Constituency, said that the launch of the digital connectivity infrastructure in Bende is the commencement of President Bola Tinubu’s policy to connect the 20 million Nigerians that were not yet connected.
with internet and broadband.

The Minister therefore underscored the need for sustainable digital connectivity not only to urban dwellers but also to rural people and urged the people to protect the infrastructure built to serve Bende and neighbouring communities, and applauded DS Kalu, whom he disclosed used his office to attract projects to his constituents.

He described President Tinubu and DS Kalu as leaders with good understanding that the job of a leader is to connect their people with opportunities, and that leading people ” means being ready to face difficult problems and finding solutions to them”.

He however stated that though some projects need patience and hard work to actualize, it is still necessary to ensure that the people enjoy a better tomorrow “because we believe that where we live should never stand between us and opportunity, that we should be able to reach out to our family members regardless of where they are”.

Stressing the importance of digital connectivity, the Minister argued ” the farmer here in Bende with produce ready to sell should not struggle to find a signal to call a buyer , a trader should not lose a sale because a customer cannot find network to make transfer to them. And a family whose child is sick should not have to struggle to make a call for help, hence to many Nigerians, these struggles are part of everyday life and we believe we must change to that starting from Bende.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given us a clear mandate and that mandate is that we must work hard to bring every Nigerian online through Nigeria Universal Communication Access Project (NUCAP ) , which is the programme we are launching today, and through which we are delivering 3,700 of the towers across the entire country”.

Disclosing that the commissioning of this Bende Tower is the first, Minister Tijani assured that before Christmas , every community in Bende would be connected.

The President made the resources available for this project that is part of his (President)! vision of one trillion dollar ($1trn ) economy where every citizen will be able to learn, trade, and parents able to build a better future for their children.

DS Kalu while addressing the gathered residents, underscored that a community should never be beyond the reach of opportunity simply because it is beyond the reach of a network.

With the opening of this communication Tower that represents the possibility of a clearer conversation, a successful bank transaction, a lesson access online, a medical consultation, an emergency call that gets through when it matters most, DS Kalu said that the President Tinubu led federal government is opening a new channel of opportunity for the people of Bende.

DS Kalu who expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for expanding digital infrastructure and bringing more Nigerians to the digital economy, and noting that the project has ended years of lack of connectivity for the people of Bende, described Minister Tijani as a right peg in a right hole, for his personal commitment to the success of the project.

The President’s policy direction recognizes the digital access, that must be extended to underserved community like Bende , DS Kalu saying ” This is reflected in project bridge designed to deploy 90,000 km of fiber optics infrastructure and project 774 local government connectivity , which targets internet access to the local government Secretariats across the country, with this initiative providing an important foundation for wider access to public services and economic opportunities.”

While he commended the Ministry, partners and the Contractor, IHS Nigeria and its Subsidiary GICL, for cooperating to give Bende digital connectivity, DS Kalu also thanked President Tinubu for demonstrating his love for him ( DS Kalu ) by choosing his Bende Constituency for the project, stating that his Bende Constituents would appreciate the easy access to internet calls and date when they can easily make transactions and connections for online education and learning, health care, without having to travel outside in search of network, adding that as another election cycle draws near connectivity is vital.

DS Kalu however remarked that many communities are still longing for their connectivity, and that 16 locations have been identified for the project, and urged the traditional rulers to provide free land for the Project when it comes to their domain.

DS Kalu showered appreciation to the Abia state governor Dr Alex Otti, acknowledging that the governor had always without delay cooperated and done the needful towards facilitating efforts to bring federal projects to Abia, including timely granting/issuing of Statutory Land ‘Certificates of Occupancy’ ( OofO).

The Project Contractor, IHS Nigeria, which has GICL as a subsidiary, explained why the Nigeria Universal Communication Access Project ( NUCAP ) is particularly significant

It said ” Through this initiative, GICL, a subsidiary of IHS Towers is supporting the deployment of rural telecommunications infrastructure , alongside Public Wi-Fi and Smart Village solutions , beginning with seven locations across Abia, Delta, Enugu, Plateau, Katsina and Ogun States.

IHS Nigeria, who spoke through its Chief Commercial Officer Mr Akeem Adeshina, described the activation of the Bende NUCAP Tower as an important step.

Adeshina said ” For us , the real value of this infrastructure will be measured by what it enabled in the lives of people in this community: the student who can access new learning opportunities, the entrepreneur who can reach customers beyond their immediate
environment, the family that can communicate more easily, and the community that becomes better connected to the wider economy”.

According to IHS Nigeria, it’s focus from that launching day, must also remain on what comes next: expanding access , deepening collaboration and ensuring that more communities can participate meaningfully in Nigeria’s digital transformation.

While commending the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and the Universal Service Provision Fund, for their commitment to extending digital services to underserved communities , the IHS Nigeria Chief Commercial Officer ( Adeshina ) also thanked them for their trust in them ( IHS ); to be part of the event , and acknowledged the support and and leadership of all the stakeholders whose collaboration he stated, helped them ( IHS ) to reach this important milestone.

According to the IHS Nigeria Representative at the event ( Adeshina ) , ” As Nigeria’s leading communications infrastructure company with 25 years of presence in Nigeria, we at IHS are proud to contribute our infrastructure capabilities and experience to this initiative.

” We see this not simply as the delivery of telecommunications infrastructure, but as part of a broader ambition to support a more inclusive digital future for Nigeria”.

IHS also congratulated the government, it’s partners , the leadership and people of Bende and every one it noted , contributed to making the launch possible.

On behalf of the Bende residents, their Leader , Mr Okezie Usim thanked President Tinubu led federal government for extending inclusion to them describing the development as evidencing brighter future to them and their children with promise to demonstrate their elation at the appropriate time and opportunity.