The Federal Government is set to harmonise state and federal policies to establish a unified national broadband market, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has said.
Speaking during a plenary session titled *“Smart Growth, Digital Leap”* sponsored by IHS Nigeria at the ongoing Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) annual conference in Abuja, the Minister said significant barriers such as Right-of-Way (RoW) charges and multiple taxation were being addressed, with over 11 states already aligning their RoW policies.
He noted that broadband infrastructure has now been designated as critical national infrastructure, a step that would enable faster deployment and stronger policy protection.
Tijani disclosed that the government has adopted a new investment model where it contributes 49 per cent of the capital while private investors provide 51 per cent, ensuring private-sector management under a public ownership framework.
According to him, the initiative aims to extend fibre-optic connectivity to every state, local government, and ward in Nigeria, shifting focus from mobile networks to delivering “fibre to homes.”
He estimated the full rollout would cost about $2 billion, to be implemented through Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs), with institutions such as the World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) already participating.
Tijani noted that a 10 per cent improvement in broadband connectivity quality could increase Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by up to 2.5 per cent.
Emphasising connectivity as a national priority, the Minister said: “Connectivity should be universal, not just profit-driven.
Using nighttime satellite data to target only populated areas is short-sighted; true development requires connecting even remote regions.”
He stressed that while the private sector drives innovation, government must ensure an enabling environment, adding that sustainable development demands collaboration among government, private players, and civil society.
“Connectivity, talent development, and AI infrastructure are strategic national imperatives, not optional investments,” Tijani said.
On Artificial Intelligence (AI), he warned that Nigeria must embrace AI now or risk being left behind. He recalled the recent launch of Africa’s first government-backed Large Language Model (LLM) at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), designed to support local languages and regional applications.
He also highlighted the challenge of talent poaching, noting that post-COVID-19, many Nigerian tech professionals were recruited by foreign firms. He said this reality underscores the importance of the government’s plan to train three million tech professionals to maintain a resilient talent base.
Chief Executive Officer of IHS Nigeria, Mohamad Darwish, in his remarks, said Nigeria cannot achieve inclusive prosperity by 2030 without digital technology serving as a key growth driver.
“Digital infrastructure is no longer just about connectivity; it has become the backbone of national productivity,” Darwish said, calling for bold public and private sector efforts to harness digital transformation as an engine of growth.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Citibank Nigeria Limited, Nneka Enwereji, who spoke on the role of financial institutions, said investors require policy clarity, regulatory certainty, and faster approval processes to commit long-term capital.
She emphasised that attracting both domestic and foreign investment is crucial and that local pension and infrastructure funds should be integrated into the financing structure.
“Credible sponsors and transparent governance are vital to crowd in significant global capital,” she added.
Founding Partner of Future Africa, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, cautioned against narrow views of innovation, citing the Yaba tech ecosystem as an example of how strong leadership and infrastructure can transform communities.
He said: “True innovation is not for show; it’s about increasing productivity, income, and national prosperity. With better connectivity and digital access, innovators can empower farmers, improve logistics, reduce waste, and boost GDP.”
Aboyeji added that while agriculture and industrial growth are essential, smallholder farming alone cannot sustain long-term economic expansion without technology, education, and large-scale investment.
He urged Nigeria to scale from its current $10 billion tech sector toward building a trillion-dollar, tech-driven economy.
The discussants agreed that achieving nationwide broadband coverage and digital inclusion would require aligning state and federal policies, fostering PPPs and blended financing, attracting global and domestic investors through regulatory clarity, and treating infrastructure as a key driver of economic transformation—while learning from successful international models like Brazil’s stability-focused reforms.
