Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, says the country’s new $2 billion broadband rollout could boost GDP growth, enable digital inclusion, and position Nigeria as Africa’s next global tech exporter.
Nigeria is making an audacious bet that fibre-optic broadband and innovation hubs can unlock the nation’s long-anticipated digital wealth.
Speaking at the ongoing 31st Nigerian Economy Summit (NES #31) in Abuja, Tijani unveiled a hybrid financing model – 49 per cent government and 51 per cent private sector – to deliver universal broadband coverage in all 774 local governments within three years.
“Connectivity is not optional. It’s the foundation of productivity,” Tijani said. “If we rely on the private sector alone, it could take 20 years. With joint investment, we can do it in three.”
The numbers tell a compelling story. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the ICT sector already contributes around 15 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP, one of the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.
Yet, broadband penetration remains at just about 50 per cent, leaving tens of millions of Nigerians offline. Tijani’s ministry estimates that a 10 per cent increase in broadband access could raise GDP by up to 2 per cent annually, a figure consistent with World Bank data on digital economies.
The $2 billion plan — backed by partners like the World Bank, IFC, and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) — aims to close that gap.
The initiative will also classify broadband as national critical infrastructure, a move expected to fast-track private investments and lower operational costs for telecom firms.
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One of the most striking examples of public-private synergy is the IHS Towers innovation hub project touted as West Africa’s largest.
Instead of paying a tax assessment, IHS redirected funds to construct and manage a multi-million-dollar hub in a rural state, a move Tijani described as “five to six times costlier than their tax obligation, but far more transformative.”
“That single decision shows what belief in Nigeria’s youth can produce,” he said. “This hub will birth start-ups, digital jobs, and rural entrepreneurs.”
The hub is expected to train thousands of young Nigerians, providing incubation spaces and access to global investors, an ecosystem approach that mirrors tech development models in India and Brazil.
Tijani argues that connectivity’s economic impact extends far beyond the tech industry.
Drawing from his visit to Brazil, he noted how connected farms achieved 12 tonnes of maize per hectare compared to Nigeria’s 2.5 tonnes powered by broadband-enabled smart farming.
“When you connect farms, you multiply productivity,” he explained.
“Connectivity isn’t about social media; it’s about economic transformation.”
Economists estimate that improving rural broadband access could add up to $25 billion annually to Nigeria’s agricultural output, a figure that aligns with the country’s ambition to diversify exports.
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Beyond infrastructure, Tijani’s strategy leans heavily on human capital and data innovation.
Through the three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme, the government aims to train digital workers across AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analytics, with 4 per cent focusing exclusively on artificial intelligence.
At the 2025 UN General Assembly, Nigeria also became the first African nation to launch a government-backed large language model (LLM) designed to localise AI for sectors like agriculture, health, and education.
“AI will define how we produce, learn, and govern,” Tijani said. “Our LLM is built for the farmer in Kebbi, the student in Bayelsa, and the entrepreneur in Lagos. We must own our digital narrative.”
The Numbers Behind the Vision
| Indicator | Current Value (2025) | Target (2028) |
|---|---|---|
| Broadband Penetration | ~50% | 95% (Universal Access) |
| ICT Sector GDP Contribution | ~15% | 20% |
| Broadband Investment | $2 Billion | Fully Mobilised |
| Innovation Hubs | 1 Major (IHS-led) | 6 Regional Hubs |
| Digital Talent (3MTT) | 3 Million | Annual Export Pipeline |
Economists project that achieving universal connectivity could add up to $40 billion to Nigeria’s GDP by 2030 through increased digital trade, productivity gains, and new tech exports.
Tijani insists the government’s role is not to compete but to create the right conditions for capital, data, and talent to thrive.
“The government is like a parent creating an environment the private sector may not realise it needs,” he said. “This isn’t about control; it’s about enabling.”
He credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for policies that have repositioned broadband as core economic infrastructure — including tariff reforms and improved regulatory clarity.
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Closing with a challenge to investors and innovators, Tijani stressed that connectivity is the new currency of development.
“We cannot build a trillion-dollar economy without a connected nation,” he said. “This plan is Nigeria’s digital awakening – our ticket to competitiveness, inclusion, and prosperity.”
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
