*Dr. 鈥橞osun Tijani, Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, affirms the Federal Government in partnership with Globacom Limited and Huawei Technologies has deployed and activated a pilot telecoms tower in Kura community, on the outskirts of Abuja, FCT, as part of the government鈥檚 rural connectivity drive to reach 20 million Nigerian consumers currently offline

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

The Federal Government of Nigeria in partnership with Globacom Unlimited and Huawei Technologies has begun implementation of its grand plan of bridging the existing connectivity gap by connecting 20 million more telecoms consumers to mobile networks in the ecosystem.

绿帽献妻 reports the government recently deployed and activated a pilot telecoms tower for the instant benefit of consumers in Kura community on the outskirts of Abuja, FCT, in line with its fresh investments in 70,000 additional telecommunications towers across the West African country.

Some highlights of the event in pictures聽

Dr. 鈥橞osun Tijani, Honourable Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE), who disclosed this development Friday, May 30, 2025, affirmed that the event was part of the Federal Government鈥檚 ongoing rural connectivity drive to reach 20 million Nigerian consumers currently offline.

Tijani, in his verified social media account, stated: 鈥淲e partnered with Huawei and Glo to deploy a pilot telecoms tower in Kura community, on the outskirts of Abuja 鈥� a community of 12,000 people previously without any mobile network.鈥�

Globacom, a Nigerian telecommunications company, and Huawei Technologies have partnered on several projects, including the “Digital Village” project in in the country in order to improve digital connectivity and access in rural areas.

While Huawei provides the technology and telecoms infrastructure, Globacom manages the network and provides data and voice services.

This collaboration aims to bring digital learning, e-health, and broader connectivity to remote communities, according to report.

Benefits of activated pilot telecoms tower within 2 days

The Minister also enthused that in just two days after the pilot telecoms tower went live in Kura community, telecoms subscribers used 81.4GB of data, made 13,144 minutes of voice calls while the mobile network recorded 鈥�100 percent site availability鈥� and 鈥�5.0Mbps LTE download speed at peak hour.鈥�

As part of the immediate benefits of the rural connectivity project in the community, Dr. Tijani noted: 鈥淲e鈥檝e also extended connectivity to the local health centre and school. With Huawei鈥檚 telemedicine and digital classroom equipment, Kura is now linked to global doctors and quality teachers 鈥� plus, free community WiFi is now live.

鈥淭his is what progress looks like 鈥� inclusive, impactful, and future-facing.鈥�

On plans to make Nigeria 鈥榤ost inclusive digital economy鈥� in Africa

In consonance with ongoing efforts at bridging the existing connectivity gap in the telecoms ecosystem, Dr. Tijani has highlighted the importance of deployment of 70,000 additional telecommunications towers in Nigeria.

Speaking at the recent Arewa Tech Fest 2.0, hosted by the Katsina State Government, the Minister noted the government鈥檚 plans contains over 80 percent of the new telecoms towers that be sited in the Northern part of the country.

In his address on the occasion, Tijani also emphasised the core objective of the fresh investments in the telecoms equipment as closing the existing connectivity gap in the telecommunications sector of the Nigerian economy.

The Minister for FMCIDE further said the new investments in telecoms towers are also targeted at making the country the “most inclusive digital economy” in Africa, where no community is left behind.

Tijani equally, announced that the 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic network is planned to connect every corner of Nigeria, as one of the Federal Government鈥檚 biggest investments in the digital ecosystem.

Nigeria, as of 2022, had over 34,800 telecoms towers, with the majority being owned by IHS Towers and Globacom Limited.

Lagos had the highest number of towers in the country, followed by Ogun and Rivers states.

The Federal Government has plans to deploy 70,000 new telecom towers, with over 80 percent located in northern Nigeria, a report said.

On implementing policy initiatives to unlock national productivity

Explaining details of the Federal Government’s efforts at maximising the economy, Dr. Tijani, at the Arewa Tech Fest 2.0, revealed: 鈥淯nder President Tinubu鈥檚 Renewed Hope agenda, we have focus on foundational initiatives that can unlock national productivity.

鈥淥ne of our biggest investments in the digital space is the 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic network aimed at connecting every corner of the country.”

He further stated: 鈥淚n addition to this, the government is preparing investments in 70,000 telecommunications towers of which over 80 percent of them will be based in the Northern part of Nigeria to close the existing connectivity gap.

“Our goal is to make Nigeria the most inclusive digital economy in Africa where no community is left behind.”

The Minister as well averred: 鈥淭his tech festival 鈥� is not just an event; it has a strong signal from Katsina, the Arewa states, and a signal that Arewa is ready.

鈥淚, therefore, challenge participants, particularly the innovators in the room, that you don鈥檛 need to move to Lagos or Abuja to be successful.”

Tijani told his audience: “All you need is also not to wait for formation, because all you need is yourself and your formation.

鈥淲e are building a Nigeria that works for everyone in a nation where being born in Katsina or Kano is not at the disadvantage but a strategic advantage.

鈥淭he future of Nigeria and that of Africa is not being written in the Silicon Valley of Lagos or Abuja but being written right here today in Katsina.”

The rural connectivity initiative remains one of the Federal Government鈥檚 biggest investments in the digital space in the West African country, Tijani asserted.

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