By The Nigerian Government has approved the establishment of the Nigeria Universal Communication Access Project, under a Private-Public Partnership (PPP) funding model as part of a broader connectivity objectives in the Infrastructure pillar of the country’s Strategic Blueprint.
In a X post in his verified handle, the Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, the Government revealed that the project, which complements Project Bridge (our 90,000km Fibre Fund) will aim to connect over 21 million people across 4,834 communities in Nigeria today that lack the most basic mobile communications access, particularly in remote rural areas.
According to the Minister, “access to connectivity is a service that many of us take for granted, so delivering additional base stations to cater to unserved and underserved areas will ultimately contribute to improving quality of life for more of our fellow citizens.”
He said that the Government during its executive council today also gave approval of the establishment of the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Trust as its commitment to position Nigeria as a leading voice in Artificial Intelligence.
He added that the National AI Trust, which will be the first of its kind globally, will consist of 10 AI experts as well as the Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, and the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.
Tijan said that its mandate will be to mobilise resources, provide oversight and guide the development of AI in Nigeria. The Trust will also help future proof our investment in AI across key sectors of the economy, in recognition of the transformative power of the technology in driving job creation and attracting foreign direct investment.
“As we continue to prioritise Connectivity Infrastructure and Artificial Intelligence, these approvals are further indication of the recognition by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of the importance of our sector to accelerating prosperity for our people”, he said.
