The Federal Government has commenced a fresh push to expand telecommunications and broadband coverage across underserved communities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The initiative is being implemented under the National Universal Communications Access Programme (NUCAP), with the government targeting areas where poor network coverage has continued to limit access to digital services.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, disclosed this during an interactive session in Abuja.
Tijani said the programme was designed to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive that communities without adequate commercial network coverage should be connected.
According to him, the government is not limiting the project to urban centres. It is also focusing on rural communities where residents have continued to experience poor or unreliable telecommunications services.
Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State is among the areas currently receiving attention under the programme.
A new telecommunications tower is already nearing completion along the Umuahia–Ohafia Road in Bende.
The facility is expected to improve coverage in surrounding communities once it becomes operational.
Tijani said the project followed concerns raised by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency.
He said the ministry would work with Kalu and other stakeholders to identify areas that still require additional infrastructure after the first tower becomes operational.
He said: “In line with the directive of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, that every unserved and underserved part of Nigeria should be brought online, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy is implementing the National Universal Communications Access Programme (NUCAP) to extend reliable mobile and broadband connectivity to communities that remain outside adequate commercial network coverage.
“Bende Local Government Area is one of the areas being prioritised under this initiative. The intervention is being undertaken in close collaboration with Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Member representing Bende Federal Constituency, who brought the connectivity needs of communities in the area to our attention and has been an important stakeholder and supporter of the initiative.
“As a first step, a new telecommunications tower is currently nearing completion in the Bende area along the Umuahia–Ohafia Road. Once activated, the site will improve connectivity for surrounding communities and provide an important first layer of coverage along this corridor.
“Our ambition, however, is much broader. Bende is a geographically extensive LGA with its population spread across several distinct communities. Our preliminary assessment indicates that, in addition to the tower currently being completed, approximately 5–8 additional strategically positioned sites may be required to provide strong coverage across the LGA. This will be validated through detailed technical assessments of existing operator infrastructure and current coverage gaps.”
The minister explained that the government’s objective goes beyond enabling residents to make calls or browse the internet.
He said better connectivity would open up opportunities for farmers, traders, students, young people and businesses operating in communities that have been poorly served by telecommunications infrastructure.
Farmers, for instance, would be able to communicate more easily with buyers and access market information.
Traders could make use of digital payment platforms and online marketplaces, while young people could access training, remote work and other opportunities available through the digital economy.
Schools and healthcare facilities would also be able to make better use of online services.
Tijani said several communities in Bende would be assessed as part of the next phase of the project.
He said: “Working with the Deputy Speaker and other stakeholders, we will now assess priority clusters across Bende, including Uzuakoli, Ozuitem/Nkpa, Item, Igbere, Alayi/Ugwueke and Itumbauzo/Umuhu-Ezechi, while ensuring that NUCAP infrastructure complements rather than duplicates existing commercial networks.
“Our immediate goal is to determine whether we can substantially connect the entire Bende LGA before Christmas 2026. This is an ambitious target, but it reflects the urgency of the President’s directive and our determination to ensure that geography does not prevent Nigerians from participating in the digital economy.
“The impact extends well beyond making phone calls or accessing the internet. Reliable connectivity can enable farmers and traders to reach markets, young people to access digital opportunities, schools and healthcare facilities to use online services, businesses to participate in the digital economy, and Citizens to access financial and government services.
“Bende therefore represents the model at the heart of NUCAP: a Presidential commitment to connect every Nigerian, implemented by the Ministry in partnership with legislators, communities, operators and other stakeholders who understand where the connectivity gaps are and can help us close them.
“We look forward to continuing our work with Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu and the people of Bende, with the ambition of making Bende an example of what is possible when national policy, local leadership and telecommunications infrastructure are brought together to achieve universal connectivity,” he said.
The Federal Government also expects the programme to play a role in the 2027 general elections.
The ministry said improved network coverage could support the use of technology in the electoral process and strengthen communication around polling locations and other election-related activities.
The issue is particularly important in communities where poor connectivity can affect the effective use of digital systems.
Kalu, who also spoke during the engagement, welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to prioritise Bende.
The Deputy Speaker thanked President Tinubu for approving the area as a model location under the connectivity initiative.
He also praised Tijani and the ministry for the pace of work on the project.
Kalu said the development would have implications for both economic activities and the electoral process.
He said his office would continue working with the Federal Government and the Abia State Government to ensure that more communities in the state benefit from improved network coverage.
“I must express our profound gratitude to the father of the nation, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for being intentional about the holistic development of the country. For us, communication plays a vital role in the business and agro sectors of our economy. So, we appreciate him immensely for this initiative.
“Also, working with the minister, I have seen the raw energy of a project manager more than a just a minister. There is an intentional effort to open our digital space across the nation for businesses to thrive, and Abia and Benue people appreciate that. It is important to state that beyond communications and growth of businesses, the initiative will also enhance the integrity of the 2027 general election with the needed network coverage across all polling units.
“The intention is to end poor network connectivity in Abia and the support of the Governor of Abia State has made things much easier for us,” Hon Kalu said.
