Nigeria’s telecommunications sector is gearing up for a major turnaround as the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has announced a $1 billion investment in network equipment—a move expected to drastically improve service quality across the country by the third quarter of 2025.
Speaking during a recent interview, Dr. Tijani revealed that telecom operators in Nigeria have already placed orders worth over $1 billion with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). The equipment is expected to start arriving between June and July 2025, setting the foundation for what the minister described as “a significant leap” in service quality.
This marks one of the largest capital reinvestments in Nigeria’s telecom history, and it comes after the February 2025 tariff adjustment, the first in over a decade. The 50% hike in telecom tariffs, according to Tijani, has finally given operators the financial flexibility needed to offset rising operational costs, which have surged by over 300% in the past 10 years.
“We’ve confirmed that our telcos have placed equipment orders worth over $1 billion, something we haven’t seen in years,” Tijani said. He added that once the new infrastructure starts coming in and gets deployed, Nigerians can expect better network coverage, faster internet speeds, and fewer dropped calls.
The investments will accelerate the rollout of 4G and 5G networks, especially in urban centers where demand is high, as well as rural areas that have long suffered from poor or no coverage. The move also aligns with the government’s broader digital economy strategy and President Bola Tinubu’s vision of inclusive national development.
Tijani emphasized that the goal of the infrastructure upgrade is not only to boost service delivery but to also support economic development, particularly through enhanced rural connectivity.
“Connecting rural areas is about more than access; it’s about empowering communities and strengthening our nation,” he said. “President Tinubu has made it clear that rural coverage is key to our economic and security goals.”
The development follows a recent revelation by Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), who had earlier confirmed that over $1 billion in telecom equipment orders had been secured from Chinese vendors for a nationwide network overhaul. Dr. Maida made the statement during a colloquium held in Lagos on April 29, 2025.
Industry experts say this surge in investment is a response to the unprecedented demand for data services, driven largely by WhatsApp calls, video streaming, and remote work tools, which have exposed weaknesses in the current infrastructure. With this upgrade, users are expected to see fewer slowdowns and improved internet reliability.
While the private sector is leading the charge, Dr. Tijani acknowledged the need for government intervention in unprofitable areas. “Private capital alone won’t reach every corner of Nigeria,” he said. “We’re committed to stepping in where needed to ensure inclusive connectivity.”
The Minister said the initiative represents more than just an infrastructure upgrade—it’s a transformation blueprint aimed at securing Nigeria’s place as a digital economy leader on the African continent.
