Nigeria aims to connect 20 million with new telecom towers
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The federal government of Nigeria is building 3,700 telecom towers in rural communities to reconnect 20 million people to the internet.
The Nigeria Universal Communication Access Project (NUCAP) is funding the initiative, addressing a connectivity gap caused by low population density and limited purchasing power in rural areas. While the first tower has been deployed in Abia State, questions remain about who will maintain the towers and cover ongoing operational costs.
Telecom expert Solomon Otema explained that constructing the towers is easier than ensuring their long-term functionality, given challenges with theft, vandalism, and the same high costs of operation as urban towers. The government is considering a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to manage the project, potentially partnering with mobile network operators (MNOs) and tower companies like IHS Towers to share responsibility.
Otema emphasized that success shouldn’t be measured solely by the number of towers built, but by reliable connectivity and socioeconomic impact. He suggests tracking metrics like network availability and the number of people gaining access, while also acknowledging that smartphone affordability and digital literacy are crucial for people to fully benefit from the new infrastructure. A previous rural connectivity project in 2001 stalled, highlighting the importance of sustained oversight and effective implementation.
