The support will be delivered under the 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) programme, a Presidential mandate aimed at training young Nigerians in digital and technology skills.

Airtel Africa also announced 10 scholarships for Nigerian students to study technology-focused courses at Plaksha University in India under the Airtel Africa Fellowship.

Driven by Airtel Africa Foundation, the scholarships will equip Nigerian youth with cutting-edge digital and innovation skills, reinforces commitment to bridge the talent gap in the technology sector while supporting the country’s aspirations to become a global tech hub.

These pledges to develop Nigeria’s future tech leaders were announced when Airtel Africa’s Chairman, Mr.  Sunil Bharti Mittal, KBE and Airtel Africa CEO, Sunil Taldar met with Nigeria’s leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at State House in Abuja.

The meeting also discussed Airtel Africa’s ongoing investments in Nigeria’s telecom and digital economy.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal said:

“Nigeria remains a strategic market for Airtel Africa, and we are fully committed to support the government’s digital transformation agenda. Through initiatives like the Airtel Africa Fellowship and our investment in 3MTT, we are ensuring that the youth of Nigeria have access to world-class education and digital skills. We commend President Tinubu’s vision for a technologically advanced Nigeria and are committed to play our part in making that vision a reality.”

While noting the significant work currently ongoing via the Airtel-UNICEF Reimagine Education Programme which has onboarded 1,260 schools and over 600,000 students in the country to digital learning platforms such as the Nigerian Learning Passport (NLP), Mr. Mittal restated Airtel Africa’s dedication to network expansion, service quality, and financial inclusion.

Airtel Africa welcomed the recent designation of telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), recognizing it as an essential step in safeguarding and expanding Nigeria’s digital backbone.

It also emphasised its continued mission to drive financial inclusion across Nigeria, particularly through its subsidiary, SmartCash PSB.

Mr Taldar reiterated the continuing goal of Airtel to support government efforts that are aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s digital economy, saying:

“Airtel is deeply invested in Nigeria’s digital future. We are expanding our network, driving financial inclusion, and creating opportunities for the people of Nigeria through technology and innovation. Our collaboration with the government through initiatives like the Airtel Africa Fellowship and 3MTT ensures that Nigeria remains at the forefront of Africa’s digital revolution.”

Airtel Africa remains committed to working closely with the Government of Nigeria and all stakeholders to drive connectivity, digital skills development, and financial inclusion, reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a leader in Africa’s digital economy.

This is not just a hypothetical scenario; it’s a reality that plays out daily across Nigeria, threatening the backbone of our digital economy and undermining national security.

The Federal Government’s recent designation of telecommunications assets as critical national infrastructure is a landmark decision that underscores the strategic importance of connectivity in today’s Nigeria.

Telecommunications infrastructure is not just about phone calls or browsing the internet; it powers vital sectors like education, healthcare, banking, and public safety.

In a world increasingly defined by digital transformation, the integrity of our telecom networks is as critical as our roads, bridges, and airports.

Yet, this critical infrastructure faces relentless threats. Fibre cuts—primarily caused by construction activities, vandalism, and a lack of coordination between stakeholders—have become an epidemic. On average, operators report multiple incidents daily, disrupting services to millions of Nigerians.

Airtel Nigeria alone records a daily average of 43 fibre cuts and in the last six months, a total of 7742.

These interruptions not only inconvenience consumers but also hinder businesses, delay government operations, and compromise public safety, particularly in emergencies.

The dry season, while ideal for construction and public works, has exacerbated the problem. With an increase in road and building projects, the frequency of fibre cuts has spiked alarmingly.

This trend jeopardizes Nigeria’s broadband penetration goals and the collective efforts to harness technology for economic growth and social inclusion.

This is therefore a clarion call to all stakeholders—government agencies, security agencies, construction companies, telecom operators, the media and civil society—to collaborate urgently in safeguarding Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure.

Beyond policy declaration, there is a need to urgently move to practical actionable steps some of which are:

1. Stronger Enforcement and Coordination: Security Agencies and Regulatory bodies, must enforce stricter penalties for fibre damage while creating platforms for seamless coordination between construction companies and telecom operators.

2. Regulating and Monitoring the Operations of Construction Companies: Construction companies to be regulated and monitored to ensure they accord similar status to telecom assets as they do to assets of other utility companies.

3. Right-of-Way (RoW) Simplification: Streamlining the RoW process will ensure operators can bury cables securely and proactively plan for infrastructure protection in partnership with local governments.

4. Adoption of Technology: Leveraging geospatial mapping and real-time monitoring tools will enable better identification of high-risk zones and faster response to incidents.

5. Increased interest and Support from the Nigerian Media: Media stakeholders should support Public and private sector actors to drive targeted campaigns and public enlightenment on the importance of telecom infrastructure and the dire consequences of fibre cuts.

Nigeria’s digital economy is a critical pillar of our national development strategy. To achieve the ambitious targets of the National Broadband Plan 2020-2025 and unlock the full potential of critical initiatives of the Federal Government like the 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) which aims to train and find job placements for 3 million Nigerian youths (local and international) by 2027, the “Project 774” of the Federal Government of aimed at digitizing all the 774 local government offices across the country for efficiency, and private sector led developmental initiatives such as the Airtel-UNICEF Reimagine Education Project where Airtel Africa has committed $57m to connect children to digital learning across the 14 countries of its operations in Africa, with Nigeria taking the lead,  our telecommunications networks must be protected with the same rigor we reserve for our power grids, water systems, and transportation networks.

The time to act is now. Together, we can ensure that Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure remains resilient, reliable, and ready to power the future.

Failure to act will cost us more than just dropped calls—it will jeopardize our journey to a truly connected nation.

*Femi Adeniran is the director, Corporate Communications& CSR at Airtel Nigeria.

The Airtel Africa-UNICEF partnership has also trained 17,000 teachers, and reached nearly a million learners with quality digital education resources across 13 African countries.

The partnership was launched in 2021 as part of Airtel Africa’s $57 million commitment to support the development of education and bridge the digital divide for vulnerable children in remote communities in collaboration with African governments.

Since the commencement of the partnership, Airtel Africa has prioritised the accessibility of online learning resources, including zero-rated educational platforms and teacher training, to support equitable learning opportunities for Africa’s children.

Airtel Africa CEO, Sunil Taldar, speaking on the success of the partnership while marking this year’s World’s Children’s Day said:

“Our mission is to transform lives, and through our collaboration with UNICEF, we are witnessing the profound impact that connectivity and digital resources can have on Africa’s children and teachers. For every school we have connected and for each teacher trained on using these digital tools, we are taking tangible steps toward realizing our commitment to bridging the digital divide, advancing educational equality and restating our commitment to the relentless pursuit of a better future for African children on the continent.

According to Mr. Taldar, “by equipping these schools with internet connectivity and training teachers on how to use the digital tools, Airtel Africa and UNICEF are providing Africa’s children, particularly those in underserved and remote regions, with the digital tools and skills they need to thrive in a technology-driven world. This is why we are celebrating with the children on this special occasion of World Children’s Day, specially dedicated to them and all the effort aimed at securing and improving their future.

The partnership has expanded digital learning to learners in 13 countries since its launch. The countries include Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.