The Federal Government will co-invest with the private sector to deploy 7,000 telecommunications towers beginning next year in a major push to deepen network coverage and improve digital connectivity.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, made this disclosure on Thursday in Lagos during a stakeholder engagement session organised by the Universal Service Provision Fund.
A telecom tower is a structure that supports antennas and equipment for transmitting and receiving wireless signals, enabling mobile network coverage and internet connectivity.
Tijani, who is also spearheading the 90,000km fibre-optic project in collaboration with the World Bank, said the initiative aims to provide telecom access to an estimated 25 to 30 million Nigerians living in areas with little or no infrastructure.
Under the investment model, the government will hold a 49 per cent stake, while private sector investors will contribute the remaining 51 per cent, ensuring private sector efficiency in management.
Tijani emphasised that the towers will be managed by private companies, while the government plays a co-investment role to ensure that telecom services reach underserved areas.
The Federal Executive Council approved the construction of these towers on February 27 as part of a broader strategy to bridge the digital divide and enhance connectivity in rural and underserved regions.
“The government has decided that if private capital cannot reach these areas, then we must step in and invest public funds in these towers to ensure our people have access,” Tijani said.
“You may ask, why is the government investing in this instead of other sectors like education? But in today’s world, anyone without connectivity is effectively cut off from opportunities and modern realities.”
He added, “Our goal is to start digging by the end of this year. On the tower side, we are also working with major companies that can support this vision.
We are putting resources together, and the plan is to begin deploying these towers nationwide early next year.”
The initiative is part of a broader digital infrastructure strategy, which also includes a $2bn investment in 90,000km of fiber optic cables aimed at boosting broadband penetration.
The project is aligned with Nigeria’s national broadband plan, which involves collaboration between government and private sector stakeholders.
Tijani said a study will be conducted to assess existing telecom infrastructure and determine the best locations for tower deployment.
“Our goal is to ensure that every part of the country is within close proximity to high-speed connectivity,” Tijani said. “We will leverage existing government and private sector infrastructure to optimize deployment.”
Tijani acknowledged concerns about vandalism and sabotage of telecom assets, noting that President Bola Tinubu had in 2023 classified telecommunications infrastructure as critical national infrastructure—a designation usually reserved for military installations.
“Those who destroy these assets will now face serious consequences,” he said, adding that enhanced security measures would be put in place to protect the new towers.