Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to bring telecommunications access to millions of Nigerians who have long been left behind by the country’s digital growth.
The minister spoke after receiving a high-level delegation from China Industrial Bank (CIB) at his office. The delegation was led by Peng Shuang, General Manager of the bank’s Strategic Emerging Industries Business Headquarters.
At the centre of the discussions was the Nigeria Universal Communication Access Project, widely referred to as NUCAP, a national initiative that targets telecommunications access for more than 20 million Nigerians currently living in unserved and underserved communities. To achieve this, the project plans to deploy 3,700 modern telecommunications towers across the country, with particular focus on rural and riverine communities where reliable network coverage remains virtually nonexistent.
Tijani described NUCAP as a “wholly green network” initiative designed to deliver sustainable and modern digital infrastructure to previously unconnected communities. Beyond the technology itself, he said the project carries broader significance for ordinary Nigerians, as improved connectivity would open doors to economic inclusion, access to education, innovation, and a wide range of digital services that millions of citizens currently cannot reach.
The minister also drew attention to the weight of China Industrial Bank’s decision to back the project, pointing out that this marks the bank’s first major financial commitment in Nigeria. According toTijani, that decision speaks volumes. He said it reflects a growing international confidence in Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda and in the country’s potential as a destination for infrastructure investment.
The minister further expressed confidence in the government’s near-term target of completing at least 1,000 telecommunication tower sites before the close of the year. He said reaching that figure would mark a turning point, bringing reliable connectivity and the economic possibilities that come with it within reach of communities that have waited far too long for their share of Nigeria’s digital progress.
