The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the rollout of 4,000 telecommunications towers across Nigeria to improve digital access in underserved and remote communities.
The decision was announced on Wednesday after the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu. Briefing State House correspondents, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, said the approval followed a joint memo presented by the Ministry of Digital Communications and the Ministry of Finance.
According to Idris, the initiative will support agricultural mechanisation and expand Nigeria’s digital economy by establishing service centres and deploying connectivity infrastructure to areas currently lacking basic digital services.
He explained that an estimated 23 million Nigerians remain underserved, with limited ability to participate in the digital economy or access essential communication services.
“Under this programme, about 4,000 towers will be erected in underserved communities,” Idris said, adding that poor connectivity has continued to restrict economic engagement and daily communication for millions of citizens.
The minister noted that the project is also expected to enhance national security operations and stimulate commercial activities in rural areas.
