INTRODUCTION
The Nigerian telecommunications sector is currently ranked as the largest in Africa and the biggest contributor to the Information and Communications Technology (“ICT”) sector of Nigeria. Nigeria aspires to establish itself as a digital hub in Africa and this aspiration rests on reliable connectivity and, to achieve this aspiration, it adopted the National Broadband Plan 20202025 (the “National Broadband Plan”).
The National Broadband Plan committed to providing average speeds of 25 Mbps in urban areas and 10 Mbps in rural areas with 90% coverage by 2025. Actual broadband penetration reached an estimated 50%–51 % by November 2025, meaning roughly half of the population had access to broadband service leading to the government drafting a new five year strategy to close the lingering gap.
Achieving the initial goal of the National Broadband Plan required two complementary projects: the deployment of fifth generation (5G) mobile networks and the expansion of the country’s fibreoptic backbone. Both initiatives raise legal and regulatory issues that must be addressed to ensure the success. Nigeria intends to embark on the Project for Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth (Project BRIDGE)- a publicprivate partnership designed to roll out 90,000 km of fibre optic cables across the country- critical infrastructure which serve as the backbone for hitch-free nationwide access to services.
This article explores the existing legal framework governing telecommunications, discusses the proposed Project BRIDGE, and analyses emerging legislation that will shape the future of digital connectivity in Nigeria.
