The Federal Government has approved the acquisition of two new communication satellites as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and support President Bola Tinubu’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during a press briefing to mark Global Privacy Day 2026, organised by the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
Tijani described the approval as a major shift in Nigeria’s digital development strategy, noting that Nigeria is currently the only country in West Africa without active communication satellites — a gap the new assets are expected to close.
He said President Tinubu has consistently emphasised the central role of digital technology in achieving the $1tn economic target, adding that satellite connectivity would play a critical role in expanding nationwide access.
“Nigeria today is the only country in West Africa without communication satellites. The President has now approved the procurement of two new ones to enable us connect more people and unlock economic opportunities,” the minister said.
Tijani also revealed progress on the Federal Government’s flagship 90,000-kilometre fibre optic backbone project, aimed at boosting broadband penetration across the country. According to him, about 60 per cent of the project has already been completed, with funding secured for the remaining phases.
“The fibre optic project is no longer a vision; it is already happening. With over half completed and full funding in place, we are laying the foundation for nationwide connectivity,” he said.
The minister stressed that expanding connectivity must go hand in hand with data protection, warning that access without safeguards undermines trust in the digital ecosystem. He described privacy as the cornerstone of a secure and sustainable digital economy, noting that the NDPC plays a critical role in building public confidence.
Tijani added that the Tinubu administration is positioning digital technology as a driver of inclusive growth, improved public services and long-term economic development, with investments extending to digital skills, rural connectivity and institutional reforms.
He also noted that President Tinubu demonstrated early commitment to data protection by signing the Nigerian Data Protection Commission Act into law shortly after assuming office.
Meanwhile, the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Vincent Olatunji, disclosed that Nigeria’s data protection industry has grown into a N16.2 billion sector, creating thousands of jobs and boosting investor confidence.
Speaking at the same event, Olatunji attributed the growth to stronger regulation following the enactment of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023. He said the sector has generated over N5.2 billion in compliance revenue and created more than 23,000 jobs nationwide.
According to him, regulatory oversight now spans both public and private sectors, with 38,677 registered Data Controllers and Data Processors of Major Importance and 307 licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations.
Olatunji added that 8,155 compliance audit reports have been submitted, while 246 data breach investigations have been concluded, leading to 11 enforcement actions, including fines and corrective directives.
He said the commission recently issued a General Application and Implementation Directive to clarify enforcement procedures and translated the Data Protection Act into three major Nigerian languages to improve public awareness.
The NDPC commissioner noted that Nigeria’s strengthened data protection framework has enhanced the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors, as independent data protection authorities are now essential for cross-border business partnerships.
He further revealed that Nigeria has gained international recognition, including winning the Picasso Award for Best Data Protection Authority in Africa and securing membership in global bodies such as the Global Privacy Assembly and the Network of African Data Protection Authorities.
On capacity building, Olatunji said the commission has organised 168 training programmes with over 104,000 beneficiaries, launched the first National Data Protection Officer Certification Examination, certified 494 professionals, and rolled out youth-focused digital privacy initiatives.
He said these achievements form part of activities marking the 2026 National Privacy Week, scheduled for January 28 to February 4, with the theme: “Privacy in the Age of Emerging Technologies: Trust, Ethics and Innovation.”
Looking ahead, Olatunji said the commission will intensify enforcement of the Data Protection Act, impose sanctions on non-compliant organisations, expand nationwide awareness campaigns, and strengthen professional certification to align Nigeria’s data protection standards with global best practices.
Separately, the Nigerian Communications Commission has announced plans to leverage satellite technology to extend mobile coverage to an estimated 23.3 million Nigerians currently underserved by terrestrial networks.
According to the regulator, satellite-to-phone technology — also known as direct-to-device connectivity — allows smartphones to connect directly to satellites for calls, texts and data without relying on conventional cell towers. This approach is expected to close persistent connectivity gaps, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
