Nigeria’s Digital Divide Persists 25 Years After GSM Revolution

Nigeria’s Digital Divide Persists 25 Years After GSM Revolution

Nigeria’s digital divide remains a major concern 25 years after the launch of the GSM revolution, with 18 states still recording less than 2,000 kilometres of fibre-optic deployment. Despite the rapid expansion of telecommunications services over the past two decades, significant gaps remain in the country’s digital infrastructure. Millions of Nigerians continue to face limited access to reliable and affordable internet services, particularly in areas where fibre infrastructure remains inadequate. Industry stakeholders have identified insecurity, poor returns on investment and weak infrastructure expansion as some of the major factors slowing the deployment of broadband infrastructure across several parts of the country. The uneven distribution of fibre networks has continued to affect connectivity, limiting access to digital services, online education, e-commerce, financial technology and other opportunities created by the digital economy. To address the infrastructure gap, the Federal Government has announced plans to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure across all 774 local government areas in the country. The proposed expansion is expected to improve broadband coverage, strengthen digital connectivity and extend high-speed internet access to underserved communities. Twenty-five years after GSM transformed communication in Nigeria, stakeholders say the next phase of the country’s digital revolution must focus not only on mobile penetration but also on ensuring that Nigerians across all regions can access reliable and affordable broadband services.

The success of the planned fibre expansion will depend on sustained investment, improved security, stronger infrastructure protection and policies capable of encouraging private-sector participation. As Nigeria marks 25 years of GSM, the persistent connectivity gap highlights the need for greater efforts to ensure that the benefits of the country’s digital transformation reach every community.