Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has commended the Federal Government’s plan to deploy 9,000km of fibre optic infrastructure, describing it as a vital step toward Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Speaking at Arewa Tech Fest 2.0, El-Rufai—despite his well-known criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration—praised Minister of Communications, Dr. Bosun Tijani, for his “exemplary performance” and urged full implementation of his digital strategies.
“I’m not an admirer of the Tinubu administration, but Bosun Tijani is doing an excellent job. His plans are impressive and must be executed swiftly,” El-Rufai said. “Nigeria cannot progress without a fast, reliable communications network.”
The minister outlined a bold digital agenda, including: 70,000 new telecom towers (80% in Northern Nigeria), 90,000km fibre optic expansion nationwide.
A push for Nigeria to become Africa’s most inclusive digital economy
Tijani emphasized that innovation is no longer confined to Lagos or Abuja:
“The future of Nigeria is being written right here in Katsina. Being from the North is no longer a disadvantage—it’s an advantage.”
El-Rufai’s praise underscores a rare moment of bipartisan alignment in tech development, with experts calling Tijani’s inclusive, data-driven approach a potential game-changer for Nigeria’s digital future.
