By Miriam Humbe
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani on Friday, said that the Nigeria Universal Communication Access Project (NUCAP) will deploy 3,700 telecommunications towers across unserved communities.
Under a new Federal Government project, no fewer than 20 million Nigerians currently without network coverage will be connected.
The Minister disclosed this on Friday at the commissioning of the project’s first site in Amaeke, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
In a post on X, Tijani said the rollout will be done in phases and will continue in the coming days, weeks and months to bring more communities into coverage.
He lamented that lack of connectivity denies people access to family, payments, emergency help and livelihood opportunities.
The Minister said: “Imagine going a whole day without a phone signal. You cannot call your family, you can’t receive a payment, and if someone needs urgent help, you cannot make that call.
“Think about a farmer who needs to find a buyer, that trader waiting for payment, the mother trying to reach a health worker”.
He said the project was central to President Bola Tinubu’s $1 trillion economy goal.
Tijani said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ambition for a $1 trillion economy requires every Nigerian to have the opportunity to contribute and share in its prosperity. That is why this investment matters”.
He directed that communities without coverage that are not yet captured should contact the Ministry for consideration, as the initiative is to expand digital inclusion so location does not limit access to economic and social opportunities.
