Project Bridge: The Bold Infrastructure Nigeria Needs for Its Digital Future
At a time when Nigeria must position itself competitively in the global digital economy, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy is demonstrating the kind of ambition and forward-looking leadership the country desperately needs. Project Bridge, the ministry’s national fibre-optic expansion initiative, is not just another infrastructure project; it is a transformative effort that could redefine Nigeria’s digital future and unlock unprecedented socio-economic opportunities.
For too long, Nigeria has relied on a fibre-optic network that barely scratches the surface of what is required for a truly connected nation. With just about 35,000 kilometres of fibre criss-crossing a country of over 200 million people, it is little surprise that many local governments, public institutions, and rural communities remain digitally cut off. The implications of such a gap are enormous: from limited access to learning resources and healthcare services to reduced capacity for innovation, entrepreneurship, and efficient governance. This is what makes Project Bridge not only timely but visionary.
Under the leadership of the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, the ministry and its agencies are taking bold steps to deliver an additional 90,000 kilometres of fibre over the next five years. The ministry is pushing for an open-access broadband backbone that will penetrate all 774 local government areas and provide the kind of digital reach that countries aspiring toward development must prioritise. This is a firm statement that Nigeria is ready to compete, innovate, and grow.
Critics may be quick to raise questions about implementation, funding, or timelines. But they must also recognise that the ministry is not walking this path alone. The federal government has deliberately adopted a collaborative strategy, bringing together government institutions, telecom operators, and development partners under a shared national agenda. Stakeholder workshops held across the country show that this is not a project being driven from boardrooms alone; it is being co-designed with those who understand the realities on the ground. Project Bridge is, in essence, a bridge to Nigeria’s future.
On the implementation and policy side, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi CCIE said the agency will support execution, shape regulatory and policy frameworks that guarantee equitable access, and coordinate stakeholder engagement nationwide. The NITDA boss also underscored the broader strategic importance of the project, linking it to the government’s vision of a $1 trillion economy. By expanding fibre connectivity, the project will support critical sectors such as finance, agriculture, health and education, while enabling start-ups and technology companies to thrive.
Imagine a Nigeria where businesses in every local government area can access fast broadband; where digital learning becomes the norm; where telemedicine connects remote communities to qualified doctors; where the digital economy becomes a true engine of national prosperity. This is the Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is working to build: an inclusive, connected, and competitive nation.
If Nigeria is to rise to its full potential in the fourth industrial revolution, the foundation must be strong, and Project Bridge is that foundation. It deserves national support, not just from government but from citizens, industry players, and all who believe in a future where Nigeria is not left behind.
