FG Extends Internet Access To Underserved Communities

Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has revealed new backing from China Industrial Bank (CIB) for the Nigeria Universal Communication Access Project (NUCAP), aimed at expanding connectivity to over 20 million Nigerians in underserved areas.

Tijani disclosed this in a post on X following a meeting with a delegation from CIB led by Peng Shuang, General Manager, Strategic Emerging Industries Business Headquarters.

According to the minister, NUCAP will facilitate the deployment of 3,700 telecommunications towers nationwide, focusing on unserved and underserved areas, particularly rural and riverine communities lacking reliable access to communication services.

He revealed that CIB has committed to supporting the delivery of at least 1,000 telecom tower sites before the end of the year.

“I am particularly encouraged by the Bank’s commitment to supporting our ambition of delivering a minimum of 1,000 tower sites by the end of this year, helping to bring connectivity, opportunity, and economic inclusion closer to millions of Nigerians,” he stated.

Tijani noted that the bank reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the implementation of NUCAP, a project expected to significantly advance digital inclusion and expand access to telecommunications infrastructure across the country.

“NUCAP is a wholly green network of modern telecommunications towers that will extend connectivity to these previously unconnected communities, many of them in rural and riverine areas of Nigeria,” Tijani stated.

According to the minister, CIB’s support for the initiative marks the bank’s first investment in Nigeria and reflects growing international confidence in the country’s digital economy agenda.

He further disclosed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had already approved the project as part of broader government efforts to bridge the digital divide and ensure all Nigerians have meaningful access to quality telecommunications services.

Tijani added that investing in rural communication infrastructure aligns with the administration’s goal of promoting digital inclusion and creating economic opportunities for citizens across the country.

However, it remains unclear whether the 3,700 towers proposed under NUCAP form part of the 7,000 telecom towers announced by the government last year or represent a separate initiative.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) recently disclosed that telecom operators have committed to upgrading 12,000 sites in 2026 to improve service quality nationwide.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, said operators completed just over 3,000 site upgrades for coverage and capacity in 2025. He noted that the planned 12,000 upgrades this year signal an acceleration of infrastructure investments and network expansion efforts.

Maida explained that the upgrades would include additional spectrum deployment on 4G sites, as well as the conversion of older 2G and 3G sites to 4G and 5G infrastructure.