The Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has shed light on the reasons behind the poor communication network in Nigeria. In an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, Tijani revealed that a staggering $2 billion would be required to lay fibre optics cables across the country.
During the show, Tijani also confirmed the existence of advanced technology, such as the Fifth-Generation (5G) network, in Nigeria. However, he stressed that the underlying infrastructure needed to support this cutting-edge technology is lacking nationwide.
Expanding on the issue, the minister placed blame on vandalism for the prevalent drop calls and subpar telecommunication networks experienced throughout the country. He expressed his dedication to addressing this problem by working towards declaring telecoms infrastructure a critical national asset, aiming to deter further acts of vandalism.
Tijani elaborated, stating, “There are times that you experience bad connection that it is simply because an infrastructure has been destroyed somewhere.” He added that certain individuals resort to stealing valuable equipment from base stations and selling them, thereby obstructing the quality of connection for users. Furthermore, he revealed that fibre optics cables are frequently damaged when people dig into the ground, further compromising the quality of service for customers.
To combat these challenges, the minister emphasized the urgent need to preserve telecommunication infrastructure. His efforts to designate such infrastructure as critical national assets will provide protection against vandalism, safeguarding the quality of communication services received by the public.
Tijani’s commitment to protect and enhance Nigeria’s communication network by addressing the issues of infrastructure and vandalism underscores his role as the Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy.
