The Nigeria Universal Communication Access Project (NUCAP), a landmark initiative to connect over 20 million Nigerians in unserved communities through the deployment of 3,700 telecommunications towers, has secured major backing from the China Industrial Bank (CIB). The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, announced this on Wednesday following a meeting with a CIB delegation led by General Manager of Strategic Emerging Industries Business Headquarters, Peng Shuang.
Targeting Unserved Communities
Dr Tijani, who shared the news via a post on X, stated that the project focuses on unserved and underserved areas, particularly rural and riverine communities that currently lack reliable connectivity. Specifically, the CIB will support the delivery of at least 1,000 telecom tower sites before the end of this year.
CIB's Commitment
“I am particularly encouraged by the Bank’s commitment to supporting our ambition of delivering a minimum of 1,000 tower sites by the end of this year, helping to bring connectivity, opportunity, and economic inclusion closer to millions of Nigerians,” the minister said. He noted that the bank reaffirmed its commitment to implementing NUCAP, which is expected to deepen digital inclusion and expand communication infrastructure nationwide.
“NUCAP is a wholly green network of modern telecommunications towers that will extend connectivity to these previously unconnected communities, many of them in rural and riverine areas of Nigeria,” Tijani explained.
First Investment in Nigeria
According to the minister, CIB’s backing represents the bank’s first investment in Nigeria and signals growing international confidence in the country’s digital economy agenda. In 2025, the government announced plans to build 7,000 telecom towers across rural areas to bridge the connectivity gap.
Dr Tijani noted that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had already approved the project as part of a broader strategy to bridge the digital divide. The government is committed to ensuring that all Nigerians, especially those in underserved areas, have meaningful access to quality telecommunication services.
Broader Digital Inclusion Goals
The minister added that the decision to invest in rural infrastructure aligns with the administration’s goal of improving digital inclusion and economic opportunities for all citizens. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) recently disclosed that telecom operators have committed to upgrading 12,000 sites this year to improve service quality.
According to the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, operators carried out just over 3,000 site upgrades for coverage and capacity in 2025, but with a commitment to 12,000 in 2026, they are now ramping up infrastructure investments and network expansion.
