“We expect Nigerians to start experiencing real, tangible improvements in network quality by the third quarter of this year.” – Dr. Bosun Tijani
RIPPLES NIGERIA
Telecom operators in Nigeria have committed over $1 billion to upgrade network infrastructure, marking a major investment in the sector. Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, disclosed the development during a televised interview on Thursday.
“This is the first time in a long while that our telecom companies are placing network equipment orders of this magnitude,” Tijani told TVC News. “We have verifiable data… over $1 billion in confirmed orders.”
The upgrades, set to begin in July, follow a 50% tariff increase approved in February—the first in over a decade—designed to enable long-term service sustainability amid rising costs.
“This investment is not just about business; it’s about ensuring that the average Nigerian has access to reliable and fast mobile and internet services,” Tijani added.
The equipment will enhance both 4G and 5G coverage, tackling dropped calls and slow internet. Tijani also stressed rural connectivity as a national security issue, saying, “We must go beyond where private capital stops.”