The Federal Government of Nigeria has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) to provide internet connectivity to three million homes nationwide.

The agreement was formalized in Abuja, with Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, representing the government, and Mr. Darren Bedford, WIOCC’s Group Chief Business Development Officer, signing on behalf of the company.

This initiative aims to deploy fibre optic cables to homes, schools, hospitals, and public offices, enhancing internet services across the country. The project is estimated to cost WIOCC approximately $10 million and includes provisions for training Nigerians and locally manufacturing accessories such as batteries.

Tijani highlighted that widespread internet connectivity would lead to reduced costs for data, calls, and SMS, as citizens gain alternative platforms for internet access beyond mobile phones. He emphasized that this development is crucial for Nigeria’s ambition to become a trillion-dollar economy in the coming years, driven by substantial investments in digital infrastructure from both the government and the private sector.

The project is expected to deliver minimum download speeds of 25 Mbps in urban areas and 10 Mbps in rural regions, significantly improving the nation’s digital landscape.

Mr. Bedford noted that while over 40,000 homes and institutions have already been connected, challenges such as Right of Way (RoW) and security issues persist in certain states. He expressed optimism that the partnership would bridge the digital divide, enabling more Nigerians to participate in the global digital economy.