FG launches 90,000km fibre optic network to boost connectivity nationwide

The federal government has launched a 90,000-kilometre fibre optic network, known as Project Bridge, to accelerate broadband connectivity across the country.

Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, announced the completion of the project on Friday at a stakeholder event in Lagos, organised in partnership with the Association of Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ATCON).

In a post on his LinkedIn page, Tijani described the project as the largest digital backbone investment in any developing country.

“Project Bridge is currently the largest digital fibre backbone investment in any developing nation, and is a bold and strategic effort to lay a 90,000km wholesale, open-access fibre network across the country,” he said.

“It is designed to deliver high-speed, resilient, and equitable broadband connectivity to every corner of Nigeria — from major urban hubs to remote communities.

“Project Bridge is structured to support the needs of both large and small ISPs, offering scalable access through core, metropolitan, and middle mile layers. By enabling healthy competition and network sharing, it will accelerate fixed broadband growth nationwide.”

Part Of Nigeria’s Broadband Plan

Tijani said the initiative is central to the National Broadband Plan (2020–2025), which targets 70 percent internet penetration by 2025 and 80 percent coverage for underserved areas by 2027.

The $2 billion project will be run by a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to ensure efficiency and accountability, with funding from development finance institution (DFI) loans and private equity. The government will hold a minority stake of between 25 and 49 percent.

The network is expected to create 20,000 direct jobs, 150,000 indirect jobs and contribute between $472.6 billion and $502 billion to the economy within four years — equivalent to 1.5 percent GDP growth.

Nigeria currently has 35,000km of fibre optic network. The new rollout will add 90,000km, expanding the national backbone to 125,000km.

“At the heart of the design are seven regional backbone rings, interconnecting Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and Lagos,” the minister said.

“These rings will form a resilient national framework of 125,000km of fibre that ensures redundancy, minimises latency, and supports seamless data flow across the country.

“Each region is covered by a dedicated fibre ring (Lagos, south-west, south-south, south-east, north-central, north-east, and north-west), strategically planned to connect urban centres and enhance regional interconnectivity.

“This regional design supports economic activity, governance, education, and digital access across all zones.”