Minister clarifies security vulnerability comment, highlights FG’s digital infrastructure drive

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has issued a clarification regarding public reactions to a comment made during a recent interview on Channels Television, stating that his remarks were intended to highlight the development and security implications of limited connectivity.

The Minister explained that his objective was to point out that gaps in digital infrastructure in certain parts of the country represent a vulnerability that limits economic opportunities, restricts access to services, and weakens national coordination.

He urged Nigerians to watch the full interview, which focused largely on the progress of the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, to better understand the context.

Dr. Tijani emphasized that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is deliberately working to close these gaps through historic investments aimed at ensuring no part of Nigeria is left behind.

He detailed that these efforts include Project Bridge, a massive initiative to deploy a 90,000-kilometre national fibre-optic backbone that will connect every geopolitical zone, state, and local government area to provide ubiquitous connectivity.

In addition to the fibre-optic expansion, the Minister highlighted the deployment of 3,700 new telecommunications towers to unserved and underserved communities.

This move is expected to enable over 23 million Nigerians who are currently unconnected to access reliable communication services.

He also disclosed that the government is strengthening NIGCOMSAT by replacing its current satellite and launching two new communication satellites to further enhance national coverage and resilience.

Tijani reiterated that these combined investments are designed to deepen connectivity, strengthen the nation's digital economy, and ensure that digital infrastructure contributes meaningfully to economic prosperity and inclusion