Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, stood before the crowd and took them back to a vision first shared in August 2025, a dream to weave 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cable across the length and breadth of the nation.

It was an audacious plan, bold in scale and rooted in a simple belief: that no corner of Nigeria should be cut off from the promise of the internet.

“When I talk about the fact that we will connect 90,000 kilometres of fibre, it’s not just a dream,” he said, his voice steady with conviction. “I’ve actually done 60 percent of that work.”

That single sentence carried the weight of countless hours of planning, laying kilometres of dark fibre, and overcoming logistical hurdles in terrains from cities to villages. It was a moment of pride, but also a reminder of work still ahead.

Tijani didn’t just want to celebrate progress; he wanted to paint a picture of what that progress would mean for everyday Nigerians. For students in remote towns, reliable broadband could unlock global classrooms.

“The money for that project has been secured. So if I talk to you today, I can boldly say that I’ve done the bulk of the work for whoever is going to become the minister.”

For entrepreneurs, it could open doors to digital markets once thought unreachable. And for the economy, it was a foundational pillar in the administration’s vision of a $1 trillion economy anchored in shared prosperity.

Tijani said digital infrastructure drive is part of President Bola Tinubu’s vision to build a $1 trillion economy anchored on shared prosperity.

But the infrastructure story didn’t stop at cables buried beneath the soil.

Reaching for the Skies

Amid the fibre rollout updates, Tijani turned the conversation skywards.

Nigeria, already unique in West Africa for having a known communication satellite, has now received approval to procure two new communication satellites.

In the minister’s words, this isn’t just about having satellites in orbit. It’s about ensuring that every remote community, every rural school, and every underserved town can be reached with connectivity that doesn’t depend solely on terrestrial lines.

These space assets are intended to stretch Nigeria’s digital reach further than ever before, across the nation’s vast landmass and potentially into neighbouring countries.

Picture it: fibre cables stitching cities and towns into the digital economy on the ground, while satellites overhead bridge the gaps that fibre cannot reach, all part of a grand plan to connect Nigeria and empower its people.

Trust as a Cornerstone

Yet, amid the pride in laying cables and launching satellites, Tijani sounded a note of caution. Connectivity without trust is like a road without direction.

As Nigeria pushes forward with its digital transformation, he emphasized that data protection and privacy must form the foundation of public confidence in these technologies.

That message, amplified by the Nigerian Data Protection Commission’s growing role, made clear that the government sees trust not as an afterthought but as a companion to progress.

A Journey Continues

At the close of the event, the hall buzzed with excitement, not just for the kilometres of fibre laid or the satellites soon to be procured, but for a future where digital tools serve every Nigerian, equally and securely.

The journey toward a fully connected Nigeria is far from over. But as the cables push outward and satellites prepare for launch, the story of Nigeria’s digital transformation is beginning to be written in earnest, one kilometre, one connection, and one heart at a time.

FG’s Fibre Forward Strategic Development Project, a Digital Lifeline or Potential Monopoly?

According to them, without addressing the current issue of Right of Way charges, multiple taxation, and levies, which are under the control of state governments, the project which is to be implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) would be an exercise in futility.

The stakeholders, who spoke during the Sixth Edition of the Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (PIAFO) in Lagos on Wednesday, which was a focus on Nigeria’s renewed strategic agenda for digital economy.

They stressed the need to ensure the successful implementation of the project which was announced recently by the Federal Government to complement existing connectivity for universal access to the internet across Nigeria and provide the Nigerian digital economy with the backbone infrastructure it needed.

Addressing the obstacles 

Presenting a paper on the topic, ‘Harmonizing Nigeria’s Fibre Deployment Strategies for Effective Implementation’, Mr. Chidi Ibisi,  executive director of Broadbased Communications, said while the government’s SPV initiative is a good plan that could help the country bridge its current digital infrastructure gap, the government would need to address current challenges.

“The issues of high cost of Right of Way (RoW), destruction of fiber by road construction companies and vandals all need to be addressed for this new SPV initiative to be successful,” he said.

Highlighting some of the challenges telecom operators face when deploying infrastructure, the Group Chief Operating Officer of WTES Projects Limited, Mr. Chidi Ajuzie, said the biggest challenge to fibre cable laying in Nigeria is the informal RoW by hoodlums in states.

“For states, a formal right of way is set and some states are adopting it but the informal side of the right of way is where the complexity has come today.

“If I’m trying to lay fibre in some communities here in Lagos, the first thing that happens is the so-called land owners (omo onile) come out and a different set of people will keep coming from one street to another and they charge you. How do we achieve adequate broadband infrastructure in this kind of situation?” he said.

Role of state governments 

According to the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, for the 90,000 kilometres fibre project to succeed, the state governments have to take ownership.

“For the project to succeed, I think the governments at sub-nationals should take ownership. This issue of state governments seeing right of way as IGR should be a thing of the past. We can’t talk about the digital economy on one side and the government is seeing those who provide the services as sources of revenue.

“The government has always come up with good policies, but the implantation, particularly when they are tested far afield, is the biggest problem. Governors will go to Abuja and say ‘in my state, I will give the right of way free of charge.’

“When you go to such a state, they may give you the right of way for zero or one Naira, but they will give you developmental levy, education levy, state impact levy, ecosystem levy. When you add all of these together, it is more than the right of way charges. So, who is playing who?” he said.

Making vital contributions at the forum, Dr. Ayotunde Coker, the chief executive officer of Open Access Data Centre (OADC) stressed the need for the fibre project to be executed by the private sector even as the World Bank is expected to fund it with up to $3 billion.

He said:

“The World Bank can put money into the government but it needs private sector partnerships as the execution engine and that’s what we’ve been pushing in Africa.

“The key thing is that when the World Bank puts the money in, it should engage the private sector, figure out the policies that it needs to do and enable the private sector to execute them effectively and make it as open as possible. With that, they can achieve what they are trying to achieve.”

He further stressed that for the success of the project, Nigeria should learn lessons of what didn’t work in the past, to achieve the new broadband penetration targets with the fibre range that is required.

“Meaningful broadband is what we need, rather than just a huge set of megabits per second implementation. We need superhighway fibres. We need the distribution of these backbone that allows us then to fan out.”

He further urged state governors to be part of the project by providing an enabling environment for infrastructure roll-out, adding: “if you are a state governor and didn’t participate in it, the state won’t grow and it’s going to impact your state.”

Earlier in his opening address, Mr. Omobayo Azeez, the convener of PIAFo, said the conference was to create a midpoint dialogue platform for digital economy stakeholders across both the public and private divides to brainstorm, exchange perspectives, clear grey areas, harmonize thoughts and create a sense of collective responsibility towards accelerating our collective prosperity through technical efficiency.

The event focused on Nigeria’s renewed strategic agenda for digital economy.

According to him, the new digital economy blueprint of the federal government does not only sustain existing policy directions and targets, “it also challenges us on the possibilities of attaining new frontiers with a view to “Accelerating Our Collective Prosperity through Technical Efficiency” which is the theme of the summit.

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The connectivity and ubiquity of fibre remains a priority, globally. In the UK, Ofcom is predicting that the country will achieve more than 80% of full fibre coverage over the next two years.

Already in Japan, Iceland, Korea, Spain and Sweden it is more than 80% while South Africa is clambering forwards to connect as many households as possible with an impressive 2,400% increase in fibre connections over the past seven years. But what does this upward fibre trend mean for the connectivity solution in 2024?

First is the anticipated shift towards more affordable solutions for cash-strapped consumers.

The pressure placed on people from an economic standpoint is trickling down into all aspects of daily life with most consumers focusing more on cost than on speed.

This is likely going to trigger a flurry of price announcements that will balance changing speeds within different packages more aligned with customer needs.

That said, economic pressures are affecting the ISPs as much as consumers – dollar pressure and inflationary costs are being felt by service providers so most will increase their prices across the board as of February 2024.

A deft balance between price and performance will soften the price blow, but many companies are unable to continue absorbing the impact of the current climate and have to pass some of the costs on to the consumer.

The move to faster service is in line with a global trend. Internationally, consumers are gaining access to speeds beyond a gig.

There has been this ceiling on fibre to the home (FTTH) of a gig both upload and download, but nobody has actively ventured beyond this for a home offering in the past, although it has been standard practice for fibre to the business (FTTB).

Now, companies are breaking the ceiling and introducing higher speeds to remain competitive and there’s a collapse happening in the middle and higher segments.

This is an opportunity for customers to benefit from solutions that are aimed at the lower segment of the market. Solutions that will potentially come in at low price points as companies compete for attention and market share.

The services are limited with reduced Wi-Fi range, but they do provide rapid connectivity and radically improved experiences on mobile devices alongside improved reliability.

Customers don’t lose connectivity when there’s a power failure as they can keep their routers connected, unlike mobile solutions that last as long as the available cell tower battery.

The speed and reliability factors are going to play a significant role in the market in 2024, igniting increased adoption of FTTH solutions across new areas of the South African market.

The available speeds will likely sit at around 50Mb per second and the cost of connectivity will easily be covered by cash. This is transformative accessibility that will have a lasting social impact and will be further bolstered by the move towards prepaid fibre solutions.

These prepaid packages are affordable and accessible. People are at a point where they have to make tough choices about purchases, so prepaid options keep them connected within a cost bracket they can manage but without a significant compromise on quality and speed.

It is very likely that this will remain as solid growth in 2024 for all these reasons plus the added benefits of connectivity while on holiday – prepaid can travel. This is the ideal investment for students, retirement villages and holidaymakers.

The smooth transition from limited connectivity options to a variety of options to suit different customers and budgets is opening doors for South Africa.

On the social front, it allows for improved business opportunities, education, networking and collaboration, providing people with the connectivity they need to enrich their lives.

On the business front, it puts service providers on a new frontier where competition may yet bring the prices down even further, but will definitely improve speeds and quality.

The shape of connectivity in 2024 will be defined by accessibility, affordability and ingenuity. Customers will want fibre but they also want more options at better costs while companies will continue to fight for growth within shrinking margins and tightening belts.

These forces are reshaping how real estate transactions are conducted, improving market transparency, and making homeownership more accessible.

Technology Disrupting the Real Estate Market

Over the last couple of years, the Nigerian real estate industry has started embracing digital transformation.

In 2022, technological advancements have become integral to simplifying processes in property management, investment, and sales. Proptech (property technology) is now at the heart of this shift, creating a more efficient and accessible real estate environment.

Platforms such as PropertyPro, Spleet, and Fibre have led the charge, offering digital solutions to previously cumbersome tasks like property searches, rentals, and even property management.

With the power of the internet, potential buyers and investors now have access to a wide range of listings, market data, and property comparisons at their fingertips.

Virtual tours and drone-powered property inspections have gained popularity, allowing prospective buyers to view properties remotely.

This trend was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, as virtual interactions became the norm. Moreover, blockchain technology started to find applications in real estate transactions, providing greater security, transparency, and faster verification processes.

As a result, investors and homebuyers can now navigate the property market with much more ease, avoiding the opaque processes that often characterised the industry in the past.

Technology is playing a pivotal role in democratising access to real estate, particularly for younger Nigerians, who are more inclined to use these digital tools in their decision-making.

Government Policies Supporting Growth

On the policy front, the Nigerian government has taken significant steps in 2022 to improve the real estate market and reduce the housing deficit, which remains one of the country’s most pressing challenges.

One of the standout developments has been the ongoing review of the Land Use Act, a legal framework that has traditionally slowed down land acquisition processes.

The government’s efforts to streamline land title acquisition and make land registration more efficient have begun yielding results.

The simplification of land documentation has reduced bureaucratic bottlenecks, making it easier for developers to embark on projects and for individuals to acquire property.

Another critical initiative has been the push for affordable housing. In 2022, the government expanded the National Housing Fund (NHF), allowing more Nigerians to access low-interest mortgages.

Coupled with an increasing number of public-private partnerships (PPPs), these initiatives are helping to bridge the housing gap, especially in urban centers like Lagos and Abuja.

By partnering with private developers, the government is ensuring that more Nigerians have access to affordable housing, while also improving the infrastructure around residential areas.

Emerging Challenges and Opportunities

While 2022 has brought significant advancements in technology and policy, the real estate sector is not without its challenges.

Nigeria continues to face issues related to unreliable power supply, inadequate infrastructure, and a volatile economic environment.

These factors limit the pace of real estate development, particularly in rural areas and emerging markets.

Nonetheless, there is a growing interest in renewable energy and sustainable building solutions, as developers seek to address power supply challenges through solar and hybrid power systems.

The government’s ongoing investment in infrastructure, including roads and power grids, is expected to create a more conducive environment for real estate development in the coming years.

Financial technology (fintech) is also playing a key role in supporting real estate investments. Crowdfunding platforms and digital payment solutions are offering innovative ways for developers to raise capital for large projects, while Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are providing everyday Nigerians with the opportunity to invest in the property market without needing to own physical assets.

The Road Ahead for Nigerian Real Estate

As we reflect on the progress made up to 2022, it’s clear that the Nigerian real estate sector is on the verge of a significant transformation.

The integration of technology, coupled with government reforms, is creating new opportunities for investors and making the property market more accessible to Nigerians from all walks of life.

Looking ahead, the continued adoption of technology, alongside sustained policy support from the government, will be critical in driving long-term growth.

By addressing the housing deficit and leveraging innovative solutions, Nigeria’s real estate market is poised to play a key role in the country’s broader economic development.

As we move into 2023 and beyond, real estate professionals, investors, and policymakers must continue to collaborate to create a sector that is more transparent, inclusive, and efficient.

Ayodeji Fashanu has a track record of founding successful ventures like Invil Capital, Vestpro Solutions, Fayod Group, The Azaria Hotel, and Lekki Luxury Homes. He brings a wealth of experience in entrepreneurship and business leadership.

As a seasoned founder and CEO, he is dedicated to driving growth, creating value, and fostering innovation.

5G networks – if correctly taken up and rolled out – will offer African businesses and individuals the critical infrastructure to fully participate in the global workforce.

So says Ruan du Preez, Vendor Alliance Director: SA and SADC at Exclusive Networks, who notes: “Fifth-generation wireless (5G) is the latest iteration of cellular technology, engineered to greatly increase the speed and responsiveness of wireless networks. With 5G, data transmitted over wireless broadband connections can travel at speeds that exceed wireline network speeds and offer extremely low latency, which is useful for applications that require real-time feedback.”

Ray Hagen, Global Senior Product Line Manager at ProLabs, further details that “a young and growing population” positions Africa with tremendous upside for 5G deployments.

ProLabs, a leader in optical networking infrastructure, is distributed throughout Sub-Saharan Africa by Exclusive Networks Africa and is dedicated to building 5G supportive fibre infrastructure throughout the globe.

Issues to consider around 5G rollout in Africa

Africa’s earliest adopters of 5G are facing teething problems that stand to delay their 5G goals. Business news outlet QuartzAfrica comments: ‘The challenges have revolved around spectrum regulation clarity, commercial viability, deployment deadlines, low citizen purchasing power of 5G enabled smartphones, and expensive internet.’ 

While funding and 5G regulatory matters continue to remain obstacles towards mass adoption, progress is being made towards full deployment of the new standard.

“Even with the rollout of 5G networks in its infancy stages in Africa, we hope to see the six operators that were granted 5G licences in South Africa earlier this year – namely Vodacom, MTN, Rain, Telkom, Cell C and Liquid Telecom – working towards unlocking its advantageous elements for the benefit of individuals, business, and the economy overall,” comments du Preez.

Hagen adds: “Applications and business cases for 5G have not taken hold to truly incentivise mobile carriers to offer more than wireless broadband services. CIOs must communicate their vision with partners in the mobile carrier space to ensure the 5G infrastructure is deployed when and where it is needed. Private 5G networks must plan around where workloads must take place.”

“5G is nowhere near reaching ubiquity in Africa or even most of the world. The regulatory environment governing 5G spectrum will continue to be a hindrance to 5G deployments across the region.”

Nonetheless, even with the need to overcome several hurdles ahead of it, 5G will offer African businesses and labour the critical infrastructure required to fully participate in the global workforce. When public 5G services are initially deployed, consumers and businesses should be able to experience landline like broadband data rates over the mobile network, bringing significant benefits.
“Digital transformation initiatives will be accelerated by 5G networks,” says Hagen.

“Fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) broadband services are expensive and take time to install, whereas 5G services only require fibre to be deployed to a radio site – and this radio site may even be co-located with access to existing fibre.” The economics of deploying high speed data services to more users, faster, is central to 5G’s value proposition and a key factor in combating regulatory red tape.

Beyond wireless broadband services, 5G promises to be an enabler of new applications, capable of driving productivity gains by connecting embedded sensors for massive machine-to-machine communication and Internet of Things (IoT) deployments.

“Access to 5G networks will open up work and learning possibilities to individuals at home across Africa, and help to ensure that business in the region can compete with the rest of world to bring products to market,” concludes  Du Preez.