By Chioma Obinagwam
The Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has announced sweeping reforms and investments aimed at tackling Nigeria’s long-standing connectivity challenges.
Confiance News gathered from the official X handle of the Minister on Sunday.
”For years, underinvestment in infrastructure left millions of Nigerians struggling with unreliable mobile networks and limited access to high-speed internet,” he said.
He noted his ministry is now addressing these issues on two fronts: structural transformation and immediate stabilization of the telecom sector.
Structural Reforms Backed by World Bank
The ministry revealed that funding led by the World Bank has been secured for Project BRIDGE, a nationwide initiative to deploy open-access fiber infrastructure. Fiber rollout will begin before the end of the year, alongside new tower installations under the NUCAP program and expanded satellite capability.
Officials say these investments will close foundational gaps in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure within two to five years. The goal is to ensure that small business owners and households can access reliable, high-speed fiber internet directly, rather than relying solely on mobile dongles or unstable connections.
Stabilizing the Telecom Sector
The government has also introduced reforms to restore sustainability in the telecom industry. These include tariff adjustments, designating telecom infrastructure as critical national assets, harmonizing taxes, and broader macroeconomic measures such as floating the naira and removing fuel subsidies.
As a result, operators like MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, and T2 are now operating in a more stable and transparent environment, with renewed profitability. The ministry emphasized that operators now have both the capacity and responsibility to resolve network challenges and deliver improved service quality.
NCC Empowered to Enforce Standards
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been granted full authority to monitor performance, enforce service standards, and ensure compliance without interference. The ministry pledged to rely on NCC’s periodic reports and public feedback to hold operators accountable.
Minister Dr. Bosun Tijani stated that Nigerians should expect measurable improvements in call quality, data performance, and coverage. He added that where operators deliver, they will be recognized, but where they fail, regulatory action will follow.
Outlook
The government insists that these reforms mark a turning point for Nigeria’s digital economy. With structural investments underway and regulatory oversight strengthened, Nigerians are expected to see tangible improvements in telecom service quality both now and in the future.
”Nigerians should begin to see improvements in quality of service and get value that they paid for, now and in the future,” Tijani promised.
Leave a comment