Bosun Tijani Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy
Dec. 20, 2024
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, says that the ministry is working to secure two billion dollars funding for fibre optics in Nigeria.
Tijani said this at the December edition and wrap-up event of “DevsInGovernment for 2024” programme on Friday in Abuja.
He said that fibre optic network was being laid all over the country to ensure that no communities is left behind.
“From the commonwealth of Nigeria, the connectivity is based on the investment in digital infrastructure.
“Historically, this is something we have largely left to the private companies to do. Private companies will only invest in areas where they believe they can make quick returns or make their money back.
“When we talk about investing in fiber optic, most people cannot relate with it.
The value of it is that we can invest in the infrastructure that will bring internet to people, regardless of where they find it,” Tijani said.
He said that the reason why government was laying the fiber optic network is to cover the entire country and ensure that nobody is left behind.
“That is why we have been working hard in ensuring that we can secure the funding to be able to carry out that project.
“It will cost the nation about two billion dollars, and the government is raising half of that,” he said.
He said that in 2025, the ministry would get private companies to invest the other half so that more rural areas would experience better and meaningful connectivity.
The minister described 2024 as an extremely exciting year.
He appreciated partners and organisations that have worked with the ministry and also funded a lot of initiatives for the ministry.
Mrs Chinelo Nwankwo, a participant from Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, encouraged other colleagues to join as she expressed optimism that next year’s edition would even be more rewarding.
Mr Hakeeb Lawal, Information Security Professional, Central Bank of Nigeria, said that 2024 has been a year for him to network with like-minded people.
Lawal said that DevsInGovernment came handy and was the perfect opportunity to do that.
He commended the minister for the hard work he put into the project and urged other participants to spread the word in order to create awareness on the programme.
The Chief Executive Officers of agencies under the ministry were present during the programme. (NAN)
