The Federal Government has announced plans to invest $2 billion dollars to deploy a 90,000 kilometer fibre optic project in the country.
The project is designed to expand Nigeria’s fiber optic cable capacity from 35,000km to 125,000km, to boost terrestrial fibre optic backbone in Nigeria.
Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, stated this on Monday in Kano on the sidelines of a facility tour of the vandalized Digital Innovation Park.
It will be recalled that irate youths vandalized the model park during the nationwide protest in August. Tijani said the investment would provide meaningful connectivity to communities ensuring that schools, hospitals, government establishments, and businesses thrive in a digitally connected environment.
According to him, it will also accelerate growth across critical sectors of the economy including education, health, and agriculture.
“To support this vision, the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy is committed to deepening Nigeria’s digital backbone.
“Through the National Broadband Alliance and in collaboration with Kano State Government, we are simplifying the process for private infrastructure companies to invest in Kano’s digital economy.
“This partnership will facilitate further investment in connectivity, ensuring that key institutions like schools, hospitals, and public offices are connected, enabling Kano to become a true digital hub,” he said.
The minister noted that in today’s world, technology is the key to unlocking productivity and driving the diversification of Nigeria’s economy.
He said that many countries faced declining populations, stressing that Africa and Nigeria in particular have the advantage of growing a dynamic workforce.
“This is our moment to become a net exporter of technology talent, while also strengthening our own local industries,” he said.
According to Tijani, the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme is a federal government initiative that aims to expose three million Nigerians in digital and technical skills.
This, he said, aimed at addressing a growing shortage of skilled digital professionals, software developers, data scientists, and cybersecurity experts, who would be driving innovation and growth.
He said the Nigeria’s youthful population was uniquely positioned to fill this gap, with over 300 young people from Kano currently benefiting from the program as the highest number of participants.
“These young people represent the future, not only of Nigeria but of the global digital workforce”. On the vandalized facility, the minister said the IHS Towers would provide support towards its refurbishment.
While commending the IHS for their commitment towards rebuilding the park, Tijjani described it as a symbol of Kano and Nigeria’s aspiration to be at the forefront of the global digital economy.
