DBI and ITU Commence Strategic Training for Nigeria's Massive Fibre Optic Project
The Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), has officially launched a comprehensive capacity-building programme designed to equip telecommunications regulators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders with essential skills to support Nigeria's ambitious 90,000-kilometre fibre optic rollout initiative. This strategic training programme represents a critical component of Nigeria's digital transformation agenda, bringing together participants from across sub-Saharan Africa to strengthen broadband infrastructure development.
Strengthening Digital Infrastructure Through Targeted Capacity Building
The five-day programme, formally inaugurated in Abuja on Monday, focuses on developing the technical expertise and regulatory frameworks necessary for successful implementation of large-scale digital infrastructure projects. According to Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), this initiative arrives at a crucial moment for Nigeria's digital economy development. Represented by Executive Commissioner for Technical Services Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Maida emphasized that robust fibre optic infrastructure serves as the fundamental foundation for any meaningful digital transformation agenda.
The Federal Government's Project BRIDGE initiative aims to deploy an additional 90,000 kilometres of fibre cables nationwide, expanding connectivity across all 774 local government areas. This massive infrastructure project is expected to accelerate economic growth while improving service delivery in critical sectors including education, healthcare, agriculture, and governance. Maida stressed that the training programme directly aligns with this fibre expansion plan by building the human capacity required to effectively plan, deploy, and regulate such extensive infrastructure development.
Addressing Implementation Challenges and Building Regulatory Capacity
Despite significant progress in Nigeria's digital infrastructure development, Maida identified persistent challenges including high right-of-way charges, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and infrastructure vandalism as major constraints to broadband expansion. The NCC has intensified collaboration with state governments and stakeholders, resulting in the waiver of right-of-way charges in thirteen states, a move that has already attracted increased investment in the telecommunications sector. Additionally, the 2024 presidential order designating telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure provides a coordinated framework for protecting telecom assets nationwide.
In his welcome address, DBI President and CEO Mr David Daser, represented by Director of Special Duties Viola Askia-Usoro, described the programme as a significant milestone in developing the technical and regulatory expertise needed to deliver Nigeria's fibre ambitions. Daser explained that the training was deliberately structured to support large-scale initiatives like the 90,000km fibre project, noting that infrastructure expansion without skilled manpower would severely limit the impact of such substantial investments.
Comprehensive Curriculum and International Collaboration
The training curriculum focuses on several key areas essential for successful nationwide broadband projects, including fibre planning and deployment, regulatory frameworks, infrastructure sharing, and stakeholder engagement competencies. Daser highlighted that DBI's collaboration with ITU, supported by the European Union, reflects a shared commitment to building resilient, inclusive, and future-ready digital infrastructure across Africa. This partnership has enabled critical platforms such as the ITU Academy Training Centre and Digital Transformation Centre, which are strengthening digital skills and advancing inclusive access throughout the region.
Inga Stefanowicz, Head of Section for Green and Digital Economy at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, emphasized the importance of strong partnerships and private sector participation in bridging infrastructure gaps. She noted that large-scale projects like Nigeria's fibre rollout require a strategic mix of public funding, development finance, and private investment, with the European Union supporting Nigeria through funding, technical assistance, and investment mobilisation efforts.
Financial Support and Project Implementation Timeline
The training programme coincides with renewed momentum for Nigeria's fibre expansion project following substantial financing support from development partners. Over the weekend, the African Development Bank approved a $200 million loan to support the country's fibre rollout under the Digital Value Chain Infrastructure for Boosting Employment (D-VIBE) initiative, also known as Project BRIDGE. This comprehensive project, estimated at approximately $2 billion, aims to expand Nigeria's fibre backbone from roughly 30,000 kilometres to 120,000 kilometres while improving broadband connectivity and connecting underserved communities nationwide.
With additional support from multilateral institutions and private investors, this initiative is expected to drive significant job creation, boost digital services availability, and strengthen Nigeria's position within the global digital economy. The programme represents a coordinated effort to address both infrastructure development and human capacity building simultaneously, ensuring that Nigeria's digital transformation proceeds with both technical infrastructure and skilled professionals to maximize its impact across all sectors of the economy.
