President Tinubu plans 90,000km of fibre optic broadband across Nigeria, covering every ward, to boost digital access and GDP growth

President Bola Tinubu is set to roll out a 90,000-kilometre fibre optic broadband network across Nigeria, covering every state, local government and ward, according to Senator Shuaib Salis.

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Salis, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, disclosed this on Monday at the opening of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Week in Abeokuta.

He described the project as a digital revolution that would deepen internet penetration and accelerate economic growth.

“This government under President Bola Tinubu is going to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic broadband across the country. Not just in some states, not just in some local governments; there is no ward that will not have fibre optic presence,” Salis said.

He explained that research had shown a 10 per cent increase in broadband penetration could translate into at least two per cent GDP growth, stressing that nationwide deployment would transform communication and commerce.

The senator added that he had just returned from the UN General Assembly with the Minister of Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, where they courted investors for Nigeria’s technology sector.

On the challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI) to journalism, Salis warned that the technology could heighten quackery unless mass communication curricula integrated digital tools.

The event, themed “The Future of Journalism: Navigating AI and Objective Reporting”, also featured Ogun State Head of Service, Kehinde Onasanya, who called for ethical guidelines on AI-generated content.

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NUJ Ogun Council Chairman, Wale Olanrewaju, urged members to embrace AI responsibly, while a panel of experts highlighted the importance of professionalism in maintaining credibility.