… Targets 23 million underserved citizens, boosts rural commerce, security and connectivity
The Federal Executive Council (FEC), Nigeria’s highest policy-making body, has approved the rollout of 4,000 additional telecoms towers to expand digital access and accelerate inclusion in underserved communities nationwide, reports ITREALMS.
This decision follows earlier disclosures by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, who had announced government plans to strengthen rural broadband infrastructure to support Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
Speaking to State House Correspondents after the meeting, the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said the Council’s approval arose from a joint memo submitted by the Ministries of Digital Communications and Finance.
According to Idris: “FEC has granted approval to establish service centres for agricultural mechanisation and to deepen the digital economy through the deployment of towers to places that are currently underserved.”
The Minister explained that the new telecoms infrastructure specifically targets communities without basic digital connectivity or economic inclusion.
“Under that programme, about 4,000 towers will be erected in underserved communities.
The presentation by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy indicates that about 23 million Nigerians are currently underserved, meaning they are unable to do anything digitally,” he said.
Idris emphasised that lack of connectivity continues to limit participation in the digital economy, restrict access to government services, and hinder communication, especially in remote communities.
Idris emphasised that lack of connectivity continues to limit participation in the digital economy, restrict access to government services, and hinder communication, especially in remote communities.
Beyond expanding access, the Minister said the infrastructure project is expected to deliver wider socioeconomic benefits.
“This will help fight insecurity and enhance commerce and economic activity amongst the people of Nigeria,” he said, stressing that improved rural connectivity will support livelihoods, market access, financial inclusion, education, and emergency response.
The FEC also approved the establishment of service centres for agricultural mechanisation across the six geopolitical zones to support all-year farming and improve food and nutrition security.
“There was also a decision to establish service centres for agricultural mechanisation in the six geopolitical zones,” Idris disclosed.
Idris noted that Wednesday’s FEC decisions align with the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) earlier presented by the Ministers of Finance and Budget.
“This will help fight insecurity and enhance commerce and economic activity amongst the people of Nigeria,” he said, stressing that improved rural connectivity will support livelihoods, market access, financial inclusion, education, and emergency response.
The FEC also approved the establishment of service centres for agricultural mechanisation across the six geopolitical zones to support all-year farming and improve food and nutrition security.
“There was also a decision to establish service centres for agricultural mechanisation in the six geopolitical zones,” Idris disclosed.
Idris noted that Wednesday’s FEC decisions align with the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) earlier presented by the Ministers of Finance and Budget.
Chuks Egbune/DoP
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