Nigeria cuts timeline for $2bn national fibre network to three years
Nigeria has cut the planned delivery period for its $2 billion national fibre infrastructure project from five years to three, read more Nigeria cuts timeline for $2bn national fibre network to three years
Nigeria plans to complete its $2 billion national fibre-optic network within three years, cutting the original five-year timeline for the project. Communications Minister Bosun Tijani said the 90,000km fibre rollout is central to the government’s effort to expand meaningful internet access and connect millions of Nigerians who currently lack reliable broadband.
The project, known as Project BRIDGE, is designed to establish a nationwide open-access fibre backbone and extend Nigeria’s existing network towards about 120,000km. Funding is coming from development-finance institutions and private-sector investment, including support from the World Bank, African Development Bank and EBRD.
The accelerated timeline is intended to support businesses, schools, healthcare facilities and communities with faster, more reliable connectivity. However, implementation will depend on effective infrastructure coordination and protection of fibre cables. The NCC reported more than 5,000 fibre-cut incidents in the first half of 2026, highlighting one of the practical challenges Nigeria will need to address as the network expands.