The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has disclosed that the Federal Government is investing in 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure to improve internet connectivity and digital access across Nigeria.
Tijani said the project, which is expected to make significant progress before the end of the year, will give Nigeria one of the largest fibre-optic networks in Africa.
He made the announcement on Thursday during the National Innovation Hub Standards Framework Workshop held in Abuja.
According to the minister, the government now has a clearer understanding of the role technology can play in driving economic growth and transforming key sectors of the economy.
He explained that the National Innovation Hub Standards Framework was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem and create a more supportive environment for startups developing solutions to national challenges.
Tijani noted that technology is critical to the growth of sectors such as agriculture, education and healthcare, adding that meaningful progress in these areas cannot be achieved without strong digital infrastructure and innovation.
He identified three major layers that support technological development. The first, he said, is foundational digital infrastructure, including fibre-optic networks, satellites, telecom towers, data centres, electricity and connectivity systems that form the backbone of digital transformation.
The second layer consists of technology platforms and frameworks that enable businesses and innovators to build solutions. He cited digital identity systems, data-sharing platforms and interbank settlement systems as examples.
The third layer, according to him, is where innovators and entrepreneurs create applications and services that improve businesses, public services and everyday life.
Tijani said Nigeria’s success in telecommunications and financial technology demonstrates the importance of investing in the foundational layers of technology. He recalled that the liberalisation of the telecom sector in 1999 attracted investments in infrastructure and significantly improved connectivity nationwide.
He also credited the Central Bank of Nigeria’s interbank settlement system for helping to drive the growth of the country’s fintech industry.
According to the minister, strong digital infrastructure and technology frameworks have helped position Nigeria as one of Africa’s leading fintech hubs and contributed to the rise of several billion-dollar technology companies.
He added that strengthening the innovation ecosystem through the new framework would ensure that startups across the country receive the support needed to grow and succeed.
Also speaking at the event, Senior Programme Manager at the Embassy of Denmark, Hilda Ayejimiwo, described the framework as a positive step that would improve the quality and capacity of innovation hubs across Nigeria.
She said having a national benchmark would help government agencies, development partners and other stakeholders provide more coordinated and evidence-based support for innovation centres.
Ayejimiwo stressed that the success of the framework would depend on continued collaboration among government, innovation hubs, private-sector players, development partners and entrepreneurs.
Meanwhile, the National Coordinator of the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation, Ms Victoria Fabunmi, said the framework would strengthen innovation hubs and help expand innovation activities beyond major cities.
She compared startups to babies and innovation hubs to mothers, explaining that the framework would equip hubs with the tools and capacity needed to nurture startups and help them scale their impact.
Fabunmi expressed confidence that the initiative would encourage innovation, support the Renewed Hope Agenda and contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.
