Olushola Omogbehin
The Federal Government has given the go ahead to purchase of two new communication satellites as part of moves to strengthen Nigeria’s digital infrastructure so as to aid President Bola Tinubu’s goal of growing the economy to a $1 trillion economy.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, revealed this on Wednesday during a press briefing held in Abuja to commemorate Global Privacy Day 2026, organised by the Nigerian Data Protection Commission.
The minister said the approval is a great shift in Nigeria’s digital strategy, because Nigeria currently stands out in West Africa for not having active communication satellites.
He said, “As you know, Mr President has been very clear about his ambition to build a $1tn economy, and digital technology is central to achieving that vision.
“But I think most importantly, one that might come out to wrap your mind, that the president has now approved that we should procure two new satellites.
“Nigeria today is the only country in West Africa with non-communication satellites. And we have been given the go-ahead to procure two new ones, ensuring that we can use that satellite to connect.”
He highlighted that President Tinubu has been clear about prioritising digital technology as a cornerstone for broad-based economic growth.
He also revealed government’s ongoing 90,000-kilometre fibre-optic backbone project, which aims to expand broadband access nationwide and about 60 per cent of the project is already completed, while funding has been made available for the remaining phases.
“The 90,000 kilometres fibre optic project is not a dream. About 60 per cent of the work has already been completed, and the funding for the project is secure.
“As we bring more Nigerians online, connectivity without protection is incomplete. Privacy is the foundation of trust, safety and sustainability in the digital world.”
He noted that the expanding connectivity must go with stronger data protection measures, maintaining that trust, safety and privacy are essential to sustaining a thriving digital economy, especially as more Nigerians come online.
Also at the event, the National Commissioner of the Nigeria’s data protection NDPC, Mr Vincent Olatunji, said the sector has grown into a N16.2bn industry, generating thousands of jobs and strengthening the confidence of investors.
Attributing growth to stricter regulation following the enactment of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, he said the sector had so far generated more than N5.2bn in compliance revenue and created over 23,000 jobs nationwide.
Compliance oversight according to him now cuts across the public and private sectors, with 38,677 Data Controllers and Data Processors of Major Importance registered under the law, alongside 307 licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations.
