Nigerian govt to construct 7,000 new communication towers in rural areas

The Federal Government has announced plans to build 7,000 new communication towers in rural areas to expand access to telecommunications services and improve digital connectivity across the country.

This move is part of the government’s broader strategy to bridge the digital divide and promote digital inclusion.

According to the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, the government is committed to ensuring that all Nigerians, especially those in underserved areas, have meaningful access to quality telecommunication services.

“The priority for this government is meaningful access. We don’t want our people to just have access to telecommunication services; we want it to be of high quality,” Dr. Tijani explained.

The construction of the new towers will complement the ongoing deployment of 90,000 kilometers of fiber-optic cables across the country. This investment is expected to significantly enhance network coverage in remote areas, allowing millions of Nigerians to benefit from improved mobile and internet services.

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Dr. Tijani also addressed the recent approval of a 50 percent increase in telecom tariffs, stating that the decision was necessary to sustain businesses in the sector and prevent job losses. “Some of these decisions are difficult, but it is our responsibility to look out for our citizens, including individuals and corporate entities,” he said.

Chairman of Airtel Africa, Sunil Bharti Mittal, praised the government’s efforts to improve digital connectivity and expressed his company’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation.

“Nigeria is the most important part of our Africa strategy… We come here with force for good for this country, and you will continue to see us being a very, very responsible corporate citizen contributing to the well-being of this country,” Mittal said.

Airtel Africa plans to invest an additional $700 million in Nigeria over the next two years, including the rollout of 5G services. The company also announced a scholarship program for 10 Nigerian students to pursue engineering degrees in top institutions in India.

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