The Federal Government has inaugurated a digital village pilot project providing free internet access to the rural community of Ibwa 2, Isuanin Kura, Gwagwalada, in the Federal Capital Territory, in a bid to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide.
Speaking at the launch on Wednesday, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, disclosed that over 20 million Nigerians remain without any form of telecommunication access.
“If you bring out your phone in many communities, you will see there is no network at all. This is costing the country significantly because people cannot access financial services, medical care cannot be supported remotely, and education is suffering,” he said.
Tijani further stressed the often-overlooked security implications of poor connectivity, saying, “Those locations that are not covered become difficult to govern. The President has mandated an investment in about 7,000 telecom towers nationwide.
What we are doing here today is the first pilot of that plan.”
Ibwa 2 community, home to over 12,000 people, is among the first to benefit from this initiative, alongside neighbouring areas with no telecommunications whatsoever. According to the minister, the project goes beyond just enabling phone calls.
“We are using the same equipment to connect the hospital here. Huawei has donated equipment that allows medical practitioners in this facility to consult doctors worldwide. We just witnessed the community chief speak with a doctor in Abuja via this technology,” he said.
Education is also being transformed through remote teaching. “At the local school, where there are insufficient teachers, a science teacher from Lagos will now teach the children remotely through this equipment,” Tijani added.
Highlighting the community-wide access, he said, “There is community Wi-Fi here that anyone can connect to, enabling them to access global opportunities.”
The minister emphasised the government’s commitment to inclusivity: “Where you live should not determine whether you have access. Over 80 per cent of unconnected communities are in the North, so this project prioritises those areas while balancing connectivity nationwide to bring nearly all Nigerians online.”
He acknowledged the collaboration with top industry players, notably Huawei. “We are working with the best companies to manage these infrastructures sustainably,” Tijani said.
To promote affordability, the ministry, alongside Hauwei, donated 125 mobile phones to the community chief.
“These phones cost about $25 each and are among the cheapest smartphones globally. We aim to test and introduce affordable devices widely, and also explore local manufacturing options,” the minister revealed.
The Ibwa 2 pilot represents a significant step towards Nigeria’s digital inclusion and the government’s broader goal of integrating all citizens into the digital economy.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Huawei Nigeria Enterprise, Terrence Wu, described the partnership as a groundbreaking effort rooted in innovation and collaboration.
He outlined the project’s three core pillars—mobile connectivity, digital education, and accessible health services—as essential to fostering inclusive and resilient communities.
Wu stressed that Huawei’s technology, combined with Globacom’s infrastructure and the ministry’s leadership, would deliver high-speed networks and telemedicine to underserved areas.
He said the initiative was a commitment to empower rural Nigerians with access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, ensuring no one is left behind in the digital age.
Globacom’s Head of Division for North West, Mr Kazeem Kaka, described the launch of the Nigerian National Digital Village as a landmark moment in the country’s digital transformation.
He praised the collaboration between the Ministry of Communications, Huawei, and Globacom for extending connectivity to underserved communities, calling it a “bold announcement towards an inclusive digital future.”
Kaka highlighted the critical role of affordable mobile phones and internet access in empowering Nigerians with opportunities in education, healthcare, and commerce.
He urged the residents of the Ibwa 2 community to protect the infrastructure and fully utilise the new digital resources to build a prosperous future.
