By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Nigeria has launched the
National Connectivity and Access Programme (NUCAP), which will deliver 3,700
telecommunications towers across the country to connect close to 20 million
Nigerians currently without access, according to the Minister of Communications,
Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani.
Tijani announced the
initiative in a statement on social media, saying the programme was starting
with the commissioning of its first site in Bende, Abia State.
“NUCAP is here. Another
major step towards connecting every Nigerian,” he said.
The minister said the
programme aims to address connectivity gaps affecting communities across
Nigeria, including farmers unable to reach buyers, traders unable to receive
payments and families unable to call for help.
“For the farmer unable to
reach a buyer, the trader unable to receive a payment, or the family unable to
call for help, connectivity opens up possibilities too long denied,” Tijani
said.
He added that the investment
supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy
by creating opportunities for every Nigerian to contribute to and share in the
country’s prosperity.
“No community should be left
behind,” Tijani said.