The Federal Government has approved the procurement of two new communication satellites to strengthen Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and support President Bola Tinubu’s plan to grow the economy to $1 trillion.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during a press conference marking Global Privacy Day 2026, organised by the Nigerian Data Protection Commission.
Tijani said the approval represents a major shift in Nigeria’s digital strategy, noting that the country is currently the only nation in West Africa without active communication satellites.
According to him, the new satellites will help bridge connectivity gaps and improve access to digital services across the country.
As you know, Mr President has been very clear about his ambition to build a $1tn economy, and digital technology is central to achieving that vision, the minister said.
“Nigeria today is the only country in West Africa without communication satellites, and we have now received approval to procure two new ones to enhance connectivity.”
The minister also revealed that significant progress has been made on the Federal Government’s 90,000-kilometre fibre optic backbone project, aimed at expanding broadband access nationwide.
He said about 60 per cent of the project had been completed, while funding for the remaining work had already been secured.
Tijani stressed that expanding connectivity must go hand in hand with stronger data protection, adding that trust and privacy are critical to the success of Nigeria’s digital economy.
He described the Nigerian Data Protection Commission as central to the country’s digital transformation, noting that President Tinubu demonstrated early commitment to data protection by signing the Nigerian Data Protection Commission Act into law shortly after assuming office.
Meanwhile, the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Mr Vincent Olatunji, said Nigeria’s data protection sector has grown into a N16.2bn industry, generating thousands of jobs and boosting investor confidence.
Olatunji attributed the growth to stricter regulation following the enactment of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, noting that the sector has generated over N5.2bn in compliance revenue and created more than 23,000 jobs nationwide.
He added that Nigeria’s strengthened data protection framework has improved the country’s appeal to foreign investors and earned international recognition, including the Picasso Award for Best Data Protection Authority in Africa.
