The Federal Executive Council has endorsed a major plan to install 4,000 telecom towers across Nigeria as part of an effort to broaden digital access in communities that remain without reliable connectivity.
The approval was issued on Wednesday during a meeting led by President Bola Tinubu and followed a joint memo presented by ministries overseeing digital communications and finance.
After the session, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, told State House Correspondents that the new initiative is designed to support regions that continue to lack essential digital services. According to him, the project is meant to improve both communication and economic inclusion for Nigerians who have long been excluded from the digital space.
Idris explained that the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy highlighted the scale of the problem, noting that roughly 23 million citizens are still categorized as underserved and remain unable to carry out basic digital tasks. He said the new towers would help close this gap, creating opportunities for education, commerce, and social engagement in remote areas.
The minister also emphasized that insufficient digital access has affected economic participation and even basic communication across rural communities. He said expanding connectivity would not only stimulate local economies but also serve as a tool to improve national security through better access to information and faster communication channels.
He added that the Federal Executive Council also directed government agencies to intensify the implementation of priority projects in line with national development plans. This instruction, he noted, aims to accelerate delivery and ensure that projects translate into real benefits for citizens.
In addition to the digital infrastructure programme, Idris said the government has approved the creation of service centres for agricultural mechanisation across all six geopolitical zones. According to him, these centres are expected to support year-round farming and drive stronger agricultural productivity nationwide. He said the decisions taken at the meeting reflect the medium-term expenditure framework earlier presented by the ministers of finance and budget.
What You Should Know
The latest Federal Executive Council approval marks a significant investment in Nigeria’s digital and economic future, targeting over 23 million underserved people.
The 4,000-tower project aims to reduce the digital divide, enhance communication in rural areas, and stimulate economic activity. By improving connectivity, the initiative is also expected to strengthen national security, support remote learning, and expand financial inclusion. Alongside this, new agricultural mechanisation centres will promote continuous farming across all regions.
The combined decisions align with the government’s broader economic framework and reflect an effort to accelerate infrastructure development and improve service delivery nationwide.
