He disclosed that the Federal Government is investing heavily in digital infrastructure, including plans to roll out about 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic network and nearly 4,000 telecom towers nationwide, with a significant portion targeted at underserved areas.
However, he emphasised that infrastructure rollout must be matched with efforts to ensure people can make practical use of the technology.
The minister also called for a rethink in how success is measured within the sector, urging stakeholders to prioritise outcomes over the number of projects executed.
“Some past interventions have not delivered lasting value, largely due to weak sustainability plans, we must adopt approaches that ensure projects remain functional and relevant over time,” Tijani noted.
Also speaking, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Aminu Maida, described the inauguration as a critical step in strengthening efforts to bridge connectivity gaps across the country.
Maida said although data usage has grown rapidly in recent years, much of the increase is concentrated in urban centres, leaving rural communities at a disadvantage.
“The task ahead is not only to extend coverage but also to ensure that connectivity supports economic activity and development in underserved areas,” Maida emphasized.
