Nigeria connects rural areas with 3,700 communication towers
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In Bende, Abia State, Nigeria, the Federal Government began installing 3,700 communication towers nationwide to expand digital access to underserved communities.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, advocated for the project, emphasizing the need to connect local communities to national development. The initiative, called the National Connectivity Programme (NUCAP), aims to provide reliable network coverage for students, farmers, traders, and patients who currently face limitations due to poor or nonexistent connectivity.
The government, under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy led by Dr. Bosun Tijani, intends to connect every community in Bende before Christmas as a first step. Reliable network access will enable residents to access education, healthcare, and agricultural markets more easily. Farmers will be able to receive payments and coordinate transportation, while patients will gain access to specialist care and emergency services.
The tower installation in Bende is part of a larger effort including Project BRIDGE, which will deploy 90,000 kilometers of fiber-optic infrastructure, and Project 774 Local Government Connectivity, aiming to provide internet to local government offices. Kalu requested that the Ministry and partners work with local leaders to assess remaining coverage gaps and ensure the program meets the full needs of his constituency, asking residents to protect the new infrastructure from damage.
