By Stella Odueme
The Federal Government, the European Union (EU) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have signed a €14 million grant agreement to support the development of Nigeria’s nationwide fibre-optic infrastructure.
The agreement, signed in Abuja on Wednesday, is expected to facilitate the design and preparation of a fibre-optic backbone network spanning approximately 90,000 kilometres across the country.
The initiative aims to expand affordable broadband access, strengthen institutional capacity and accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation to promote inclusive economic growth.
The grant, supported by the EU and administered by the EBRD, will fund project scoping, network design, project preparation and capacity-building activities for the nationwide fibre-optic backbone programme.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Abubakar Bagudu, described the partnership as an important step towards advancing Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and economic development priorities.
Bagudu said the intervention would go beyond technical planning to include institutional development, capacity building and knowledge transfer, which he identified as critical to effective implementation and the long-term sustainability of digital infrastructure investments.
He noted that the components would also strengthen local expertise and improve the country’s capacity to implement and manage major infrastructure projects.
The minister explained that the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning would coordinate and provide oversight for the initiative, while the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy would share responsibility for technical implementation through established project coordination and implementation structures.
He commended the EU and other development partners for their continued contributions to Nigeria’s economic reforms and development objectives.
Bagudu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to international cooperation and strategic partnerships to improve digital connectivity, build institutional capacity and drive inclusive economic growth.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Deborah Odoh, described the grant agreement as a significant milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and project implementation capacity.
Odoh expressed appreciation to the EU and the EBRD for their continued support, assuring that the government would prioritise transparency, effective coordination and collaboration with development partners.
She clarified that her ministry would execute the grant agreements on behalf of the Federal Government, while the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy would handle technical implementation through its project implementation units.
Also speaking, the European Union leader to Nigeria, Mr Massimo De Luca, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to deepening its digital partnership with Nigeria through investment, collaboration and timely implementation of projects supporting the country’s digital transformation.
De Luca stressed the need for sustained engagement between Nigeria and its international partners to achieve shared development goals and expand digital infrastructure.
He also thanked the minister and other stakeholders for their contributions towards advancing the partnership, emphasising the importance of continued cooperation in delivering development outcomes.
In a virtual address, a representative of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy commended the EU delegation, Nigerian partners and other stakeholders for their roles in ensuring the successful organisation of the signing ceremony.
The representative said the agreements would strengthen institutional cooperation, promote innovation, enhance technical skills and support sustainable development.
The address further noted that the partnership demonstrated the potential of coordinated efforts between Nigeria, the EU and other development partners in advancing national development priorities.
The representative expressed optimism that the initiative would lay a solid foundation for deeper cooperation and future progress in Nigeria’s digital sector.