Tinubu Approves Purchase Of Two Communication Satellites

The Federal Government has approved the procurement of two new communication satellites as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and support President Bola Tinubu’s ambition of growing the economy to $1 trillion.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at a press conference to mark the 2026 Global Privacy Day, organised by the Nigerian Data Protection Commission.

Tijani said the approval signalled a major shift in Nigeria’s digital strategy, noting that the country currently stands out in West Africa for lacking active communication satellites.

“As you know, Mr President has been very clear about his ambition to build a $1tn economy, and digital technology is central to achieving that vision,” the minister said.

“But I think most importantly, one that might come out to wrap your mind, is that the president has now approved that we should procure two new satellites.”

He explained that Nigeria’s absence of communication satellites had limited its ability to fully leverage space-based connectivity.

“Nigeria today is the only country in West Africa with non-communication satellites. And we have been given the go-ahead to procure two new ones, ensuring that we can use that satellite to connect,” Tijani said.

The minister also provided an update on the Federal Government’s flagship 90,000-kilometre fibre optic backbone project, designed to expand broadband access nationwide.

According to him, about 60 per cent of the project has already been completed, while funding for the remaining portion has been secured.

“The 90,000 kilometres fibre optic project is not a dream. About 60 per cent of the work has already been completed, and the funding for the project is secure,” he said.

Tijani stressed that expanding connectivity without adequate safeguards would be counterproductive.

“As we bring more Nigerians online, connectivity without protection is incomplete. Privacy is the foundation of trust, safety and sustainability in the digital world,” he said.

He added that the success of Nigeria’s digital economy would depend not only on infrastructure and skills, but also on trust, describing the NDPC as central to building confidence in the digital space.

The minister noted that President Tinubu demonstrated early commitment to data protection by signing the Nigerian Data Protection Commission Act into law shortly after assuming office.

He said the administration was positioning digital technology as a driver of inclusive growth, improved public service delivery and long-term economic expansion, with investments in digital skills, rural connectivity and institutional reforms.

Tijani further emphasised the need to strengthen data protection as Nigeria’s young and digitally active population continues to grow.

Data Protection Industry Now Worth ₦16.2 Billion – NDPC

Meanwhile, the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Vincent Olatunji, disclosed that Nigeria’s data protection sector has grown into a N16.2bn industry, creating thousands of jobs and boosting investor confidence.

Speaking at the event, Olatunji attributed the growth to stricter regulation following the enactment of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.

He said the sector had generated over ₦5.2 billion in compliance revenue and created more than 23,000 jobs nationwide.

According to him, 38,677 Data Controllers and Data Processors of Major Importance have been registered under the law, alongside 307 licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations.

He added that 8,155 compliance audit returns had been submitted, while 246 data breach investigations had been concluded, resulting in 11 enforcement actions, including fines and remediation directives.

Olatunji said the commission recently issued the General Application and Implementation Directive to clarify enforcement procedures and translated the Data Protection Act into three major Nigerian languages to improve public understanding.

He noted that Nigeria’s strengthened data protection framework had improved its attractiveness to foreign investors, as independent data protection authorities are now a key requirement for cross-border business partnerships.

The NDPC commissioner said Nigeria had also gained international recognition, winning the Picasso Award for Best Data Protection Authority in Africa and securing membership of bodies such as the Global Privacy Assembly and the Network of African Data Protection Authorities.

On capacity building, Olatunji said the commission had organised 168 training programmes with over 104,000 beneficiaries, launched the first National Data Protection Officer Certification Examination and certified 494 professionals.

He said these milestones form part of activities marking the 2026 National Privacy Week, scheduled for January 28 to February 4, with the theme, “Privacy in the Age of Emerging Technologies: Trust, Ethics and Innovation.”

Outlining priorities for the year, Olatunji said the commission would intensify enforcement of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, sanction non-compliant organisations and expand nationwide awareness campaigns.

Naijaonpoint understands that the Nigerian Communications Commission had earlier announced plans to leverage satellite technology to expand mobile coverage to an estimated 23.3 million Nigerians currently underserved by terrestrial networks.

According to the NCC, satellite-to-phone services, also known as direct-to-device or direct-to-cell connectivity, would allow smartphones to connect directly to satellites for calls, texts and data, especially in remote areas.

In a consultation paper, the regulator said the initiative was aimed at bridging connectivity gaps identified in its 2024 cluster gap study, which highlighted 87 underserved clusters nationwide.