The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the deployment of 4,000 telecom towers across Nigeria to expand connectivity in underserved communities.
The approval was announced on Wednesday after the council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu, according to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris.
The decision comes as Nigeria aims to intensifies efforts to close digital gaps affecting over 23 million citizens and improve access to communication, security, and economic inclusion.
According to Idris, the project aims directly at communities that lack basic digital access. According to him, under that program, about 4,000 towers will be erected in underserved communities.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, in his data analytics presented at the FEC meeting, stated that about 23 million Nigerians are currently underserved, meaning they lack access to basic digital connectivity needed for meaningful activity.
Mr. Muhammed Idris faults limited digital access to rising cases of zero or no economic participation and communication in remote regions which has advertly affected their livelihoods and public safety. This proactive measure will help in fighting insecurity and enhancing commerce and economic activity amongst the people of Nigeria, he stated.
