Bosun Tijani Launches Project BRIDGE Blueprint for 90,000km Fibre-Optic Network Across Nigeria

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has unveiled the technical blueprint for Project BRIDGE — a landmark national infrastructure initiative to deploy 90,000 km of fibre-optic cable across Nigeria. The project aims to transform the country’s digital backbone, delivering high-speed, reliable and equitable broadband connectivity to communities nationwide.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement event in Lagos, Dr Tijani described the scheme as “the most ambitious and foundational digital infrastructure project in Nigeria’s history.”

Project BRIDGE will expand Nigeria’s current 35,000 km fibre network to a total of 125,000 km, positioning it as the third-largest fibre backbone in Africa. It targets 70% internet penetration by 2025 and 80% broadband coverage for underserved areas by 2027. The initiative will connect over 200,000 educational, healthcare and social institutions, bridging the digital divide for around 33 million offline Nigerians. It is also expected to generate 20,000 direct jobs, create 150,000 indirect jobs, and provide training for 5,000 young people through the Digital Bridge Institute.

When completed, this open-access wholesale network will be one of the largest fibre infrastructure investments in the developing world, supporting both major and smaller internet service providers through core, metropolitan, and middle-mile layers to improve internet availability and affordability nationwide.

The $2 billion project will be funded equally through sovereign loans from development finance institutions, including the World Bank and African Development Bank (AfDB), and private sector investment. Dr Tijani has also been engaging with international partners, including the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, to secure further support.

Challenges remain, particularly high Right-of-Way fees from state governments and the high costs of rural deployment, which make investors wary of extending fibre to low-income areas. However, experts estimate Project BRIDGE could boost Nigeria’s GDP per capita by 1.5%, from $472.6 billion to about $502 billion within four years. The improved connectivity is expected to enhance digital literacy, expand access to education and financial services, empower tech startups, and strengthen national security.

The launch of the Project BRIDGE blueprint represents a pivotal step in Nigeria’s digital transformation. Over the next five years, it is poised to reshape the country’s economic and technological landscape, driving growth and inclusion for millions of Nigerians.