The Federal Government has announced plans to deploy 3,700 telecommunications towers to connect nearly 20 million Nigerians living in communities without network coverage.
Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, announced the initiative, known as the Nigeria Universal Communication Access Project (NUCAP), on Friday during the commissioning of its first site in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
In a post on X, Tijani said the project would extend telecommunications services to underserved communities, with further site launches expected in the coming days, weeks and months.
He said the initiative was designed to ensure that people in areas without reliable network access could benefit from economic and social opportunities that depend on digital connectivity.
Why Nigeria is deploying 3,700 telecom towers
Tijani highlighted how the absence of network coverage affects everyday activities, including communication, financial transactions and access to emergency assistance.
“Imagine going a whole day without a phone signal. You cannot call your family, you can’t receive a payment, and if someone needs urgent help, you cannot make that call,” the minister said.
He also pointed to the challenges faced by farmers, traders and families who rely on telecommunications to support their livelihoods and access essential services.
“Think about a farmer who needs to find a buyer, that trader waiting for payment, the mother trying to reach a health worker,” he said.
According to the minister, the first NUCAP site in Amaeke, Bende Local Government Area, marks the beginning of a wider rollout to bring more communities within telecommunications coverage.
How the project supports Tinubu’s $1 trillion economy target
Tijani said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy by expanding access to digital infrastructure and economic opportunities.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ambition for a $1 trillion economy requires every Nigerian to have the opportunity to contribute and share in its prosperity. That is why this investment matters,” he said.
The project is expected to address connectivity gaps in underserved communities, where limited access to telecommunications can restrict participation in digital commerce, financial services and other essential activities.
How communities can report poor network coverage
Tijani urged communities without telecommunications coverage, particularly those not included in the current deployment plan, to report their locations to the ministry for consideration.
He said the project forms part of the government’s broader effort to expand digital inclusion and ensure that geographical location does not prevent Nigerians from accessing economic and social opportunities.
As the rollout progresses, the deployment of the 3,700 towers is intended to bring millions of currently unconnected Nigerians closer to reliable telecommunications services.
