By Dolapo Onah
Nigeria’s digital infrastructure conversation is evolving, but a critical misconception still lingers: that the country’s connectivity challenges are primarily due to a lack of infrastructure. Insights from the recent PiAfit National Dig Once Policy Forum suggest otherwise.
Nigeria already boasts a robust network of subsea cables—MainOne, ACE, Equiano, GLO-1, SAT-3, WACS, and 2Africa—serving its coastline, alongside fibre presence across all states. The issue, therefore, is not the absence of infrastructure, but how effectively it is deployed and utilized.
Current fibre expansion remains largely business-driven. Operators naturally prioritize areas with the strongest commercial returns. While this approach is economically sound, it has resulted in uneven access, leaving harder-to-reach and less commercially viable regions underserved.
Discussions at the forum, which included contributions from industry leaders such as Oluwasayo Oshadami, Gbenga Olabiyi, Olumide Idowu, Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, Tola Yusuf, and Adegoke Juba, emphasized the need for a more coordinated, national approach.
A key focus was Project BRIDGE, an ambitious initiative targeting approximately 90,000 kilometres of fibre deployment. While the scale of the project is significant, its success will depend heavily on the framework underpinning it.
For Nigeria to fully realize the value of its infrastructure investments, an open-access model is essential. This approach would enable shared use of fibre networks, allowing multiple service providers to operate on the same infrastructure rather than duplicating efforts in already saturated areas. Such a model fosters competition, reduces costs, and expands access more equitably.
If effectively implemented, this shift could extend high-capacity connectivity beyond traditional commercial hubs like Lagos and Port Harcourt to cities such as Kano, Enugu, and Abuja, supporting broader economic participation and digital inclusion.
Ultimately, the future of Nigeria’s digital economy depends not just on building infrastructure, but on building it right—through collaboration between government and private sector stakeholders, strong governance frameworks, and a shared commitment to long-term sustainability.
At its core, this is about impact. Every policy decision, every fibre rollout, and every infrastructure investment directly affects millions of Nigerians—from students and entrepreneurs to healthcare providers—whose opportunities depend on reliable connectivity.
The path forward is clear: Nigeria must move from fragmented deployment to coordinated execution, ensuring that its digital infrastructure works not just in parts, but as a truly national system.
