Nigeria has secured financing commitments worth about ₦170.6 billion for Project BRIDGE, the Federal Government’s plan to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cable across the country.
The package includes $100 million, estimated at ₦135.4 billion, from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and a €22 million grant, estimated at ₦35.2 billion, from the European Union.
The new commitments add to $500 million in concessional financing previously approved by the World Bank Group.
What Project BRIDGE is designed to do
BRIDGE stands for Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth. The project aims to expand Nigeria’s national fibre backbone from roughly 35,000 kilometres to 125,000 kilometres.
The network is intended to connect all parts of the country through an open-access backbone and improve broadband capacity for households, businesses and public institutions.
Government projections say the infrastructure could reach 38,800 public schools, 16,900 health facilities and 3,400 local-government offices.
Public-private ownership model
The project is expected to operate through a special-purpose vehicle that is majority privately owned and managed, with the Federal Government retaining a minority stake.
That structure is designed to attract private capital and technical expertise while using development-finance support to reduce the cost and risk of nationwide deployment.
Why fibre infrastructure matters
More backbone fibre can increase network capacity, improve service reliability and make it easier for telecommunications companies and internet providers to reach underserved areas.
For Nigerians abroad, improved connectivity could support remote work, digital payments, online education, telemedicine and easier management of businesses and family affairs at home.
Financing is not the same as delivery
The commitments are significant, but the project’s success will depend on execution. Right-of-way charges, vandalism, construction delays, maintenance, open-access pricing and coordination with states could affect rollout.
Consumers will benefit only if the new backbone translates into reliable last-mile connections and competitive retail prices. The government should publish clear milestones, procurement information and coverage data as deployment progresses.
Sources: Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy; The Guardian Nigeria.