El-Rufai Commends FG’s Plan To Deploy 9,000km Fiber Optic Network
The former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, on Wednesday, commended the Federal Government for its plan to deploy 9,000 kilometers of fiber optic network.
He noted that although he is not an admirer of President Bola Tinubu’s administration—as is well known—he commended the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, for doing an excellent job in his role, which he believes deserves recognition and praise.
Speaking at the Arewa Tech Fest 2.0 in Katsina, El-Rufai expressed hope that the minister’s well-thought-out strategies and plans will be fully implemented for the benefit of Nigeria.
According to El-Rufai, Nigeria cannot achieve its full potential unless it has a rapid communications network.
El-Rufai, who was the convener of the Arewa Tech Fest 2.0 hosted by the Katsina State government at the Continental Events Center, Katsina, said the AI strategy is well thought out.
He stated that the challenge is to get it implemented as soon as possible because the world he believed is waiting for no one.
“I would like to commend the minister for a job well done so far in service of the country.
“I want to thank the minister, I am not an admirer of the president Bola Tinubu administration as you all know but the minister Bosun Tijjani is doing an excellent job in his space and we must recognize it and commend him, my hope and prayer is that all his beautiful thoughts, strategies and plans be implemented for the benefit of Nigeria.
“This country cannot achieve its full potential unless we have a rapid communications network.
“The 9,000 kilometers of fiber optic that the Federal Government intends to deploy is a very commendable step. The AI strategy is well thought out, the challenge is to get it implemented as soon as possible because the world is waiting for no one,” El-Rufai said.
During the event, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, revealed that the Federal Government is preparing investments in 70,000 telecommunications towers of which over 80 per cent of them will be based in the Northern part of the country.
The goal, according to him, is to close the existing connectivity gap and to make Nigeria the most inclusive digital economy in Africa where no community is left behind.
He further announced that the 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic network, aimed at connecting every corner of Nigeria, remains one of the Federal Government’s biggest investments in the digital space.
He noted that, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, his Ministry has focused on foundational initiatives that can unlock national productivity.
“This tech festival today is not just an event, it has a strong signal from Katsina, the Arewa States and a signal that Arewa is ready.
“I therefore challenge participants, particularly the innovators in the room, that you don’t need to move to Lagos or Abuja to be successful, all you need is also not to wait for formation, because all you need is yourself and your formation.
“We are building a Nigeria that works for everyone in a nation where being born in Katsina or Kano is not at the disadvantage but a strategic advantage.
“The future of Nigeria and that of Africa is not being written in the silicon valley of Lagos or Abuja but being written right here today in Katsina,” he said.
