FG Offers 51% Stake in $2bn Broadband Project to Private Investors

By Ada Samson, Abuja

…..Initiative to connect all 774 LGAs with fibre optic expansion

The Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform Nigeria’s digital landscape, offering private investors a controlling 51% stake in its $2 billion BRIDGE broadband infrastructure project.

The initiative, designed to expand nationwide internet connectivity, was announced at a stakeholders’ engagement in Lagos by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani.

“There is no country that operates without the intervention of the private sector,” Tijani declared, emphasising the government’s commitment to a collaborative approach. Under the arrangement, the Federal Government will retain a 49% stake while private investors take the lead in financing and operations.

“The board is independent. The minister is not appointing the management of the SPV. In fact, the deal will be done and decided by the SPV,” he clarified, assuring potential partners of non-interference.

The BRIDGE (Broadband Infrastructure for Digital Growth and Economy) project is a cornerstone of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. It aims to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cable across Nigeria, expanding the existing 35,000km network to 125,000km—one of Africa’s most extensive digital infrastructure rollouts.

The network will adopt an open-access, wholesale model, enabling both large and small internet service providers (ISPs) to leverage its core, metropolitan, and middle-mile layers.

The project’s design features seven regional backbone rings covering all six geopolitical zones and 37 metro fibre rings, creating a resilient, high-capacity grid with redundancy to minimise service disruptions. Every one of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas will host a Point of Presence (PoP), with last-mile connections extending to thousands of wards—prioritising schools, healthcare centres, and government offices.

“Our aim is to change this once and for all, so that where you live, where you are born, or where you choose to settle will not determine whether you have access to quality internet or not,” Tijani stated. He cited World Bank research indicating that a 10% improvement in national connectivity could boost GDP by 1.35% to 1.5%.

The minister revealed that international financial institutions, including the World Bank and African Development Bank (AfDB), have already expressed interest in funding BRIDGE. However, he issued a stark warning to Nigerian investors: “If local players fail to invest, foreign investors would eventually take on the project.”

The government’s 49% stake ensures public oversight while incentivising private capital to drive efficiency. Tijani stressed that the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) managing BRIDGE will operate at arm’s length from political influence, with procurement and governance handled transparently.

Currently, Nigeria’s internet penetration remains uneven, with urban centres enjoying far better connectivity than rural communities. BRIDGE seeks to eliminate this disparity by ensuring universal access. “The network will be wholesale, open-access, and designed to support both large and small internet service providers,” the minister explained.

The next phase of the project will depend on partnerships with telecom operators, ISPs, and infrastructure firms. “As we move forward, we invite feedback, collaboration, and innovation from across the ecosystem. Together, we will bridge the digital divide and build an inclusive, future-ready economy,” Tijani added.