The Nigerian National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is making significant progress on Project Bridge, a national fibre-optic expansion initiative scheduled for completion by the first quarter of 2026.
According to Kashifu Inuwa, the Director-General of NITDA, the project, which was initiated earlier this year, aims to lay down an additional 90,000 kilometres of fibre over the next five years, creating a robust open-access broadband backbone.
This extensive network is designed to connect all 774 local governments, public institutions, and underserved communities across Nigeria.
Inuwa mentioned that the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy is overseeing this initiative, having received presidential approval for a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to manage the project’s implementation.
Currently, Nigeria has around 35,000 kilometres of fibre infrastructure, a figure deemed inadequate for nationwide comprehensive internet connectivity.
Inuwa highlighted that Project Bridge will be executed through a collaboration between the public and private sectors, involving government agencies, telecom operators, and development partners.
Moreover, workshops with stakeholders have been conducted nationwide to formulate effective deployment strategies.
Inuwa emphasised the project’s importance in enhancing digital connectivity, which he believes will drive economic growth and improve services in essential sectors, ultimately fortifying Nigeria’s digital landscape.
