FG incorporates coy to deliver 90,000km nationwide fibre network
Abuja, Aug. 2026 -The Federal Government has incorporated Bridge Open Access (Bridge OA), an independent company to deliver Nigeria’s planned 90,000-kilometre nationwide fibre-optic network under Project BRIDGE.
The inauguration of the company is a major step towards expanding Nigeria’s digital backbone and extend high-speed internet connectivity across the country
Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, announced the incorporation of the company at the weekend.
He described it as a transition from project planning and financing to implementation.
Bridge Open Access to drive Project BRIDGE
According to the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Project BRIDGE involves the deployment of at least 90,000km of fibre-optic cables as a national connectivity backbone.
The ministry established the project as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) structure designed to operate independently and provide wholesale open-access infrastructure to telecommunications and other service providers.
The Federal Government said Bridge OA will provide the institutional platform required to complete investor onboarding and commence nationwide deployment.
Tijani said the incorporation creates the structure needed to accelerate broadband deployment and support Nigeria’s ambition to become a regional digital connectivity hub.
Private investors to hold majority stake
Project BRIDGE operates under a public-private partnership structure, with private investors expected to hold the majority ownership of Bridge OA.
Under the structure outlined by the Federal Government, the government will retain between 25% and 49% of the company, while private-sector investors will hold at least 51%.
The structure is designed to give private investors a significant role in financing, managing and deploying the network while maintaining government participation in the strategic infrastructure project.
The Federal Ministry had previously described Project BRIDGE as an independently managed limited liability company that would operate with private-sector participation.
Project has been under development since 2024
The Federal Executive Council approved the establishment of an SPV for the 90,000km fibre rollout in May 2024.
At the time, the Federal Government said the additional fibre infrastructure would complement Nigeria’s existing network and strengthen connectivity nationwide.
The planned 90,000km rollout was expected to increase the country’s fibre backbone from about 35,000km to approximately 125,000km at the time of the original announcement.
The government also said the infrastructure would support connectivity for more than 200,000 educational, healthcare and other social institutions, particularly in underserved communities.
The Federal Ministry subsequently opened an investor consultation process in March 2025, seeking private-sector participation in the proposed Project BRIDGE SPV.
Financing for the project takes shape
The incorporation of Bridge OA follows several financing developments involving international development institutions.
The World Bank approved $500 million for Project BRIDGE in 2025 to support the deployment of the 90,000km fibre network. The financing structure provides for an SPV to manage the network and provide wholesale open-access services.
In February 2026, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) approved a $100 million sovereign loan to support Nigeria’s participation in the project, while the European Union announced a €22 million grant linked to the fibre rollout.
The African Development Bank subsequently approved a further $200 million loan for Project BRIDGE in April 2026, adding to the financing commitments already secured for the initiative.
The Federal Government also began the process of selecting private-sector investors to participate in the project. (NHM)
