In a bold move to close Nigeria’s persistent digital divide, the Federal Government has launched a landmark digital village pilot project providing free internet access to the rural community of Ibwa 2, located in Isuanin Kura, Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This initiative aims to bring digital inclusion, improve access to critical services, and boost socio-economic development for underserved populations.
At the official launch on Wednesday, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, revealed that more than 20 million Nigerians still lack access to basic telecommunication services, a challenge that severely hampers financial inclusion, healthcare delivery, and education in many rural communities.
“If you take out your phone in numerous communities, you’ll find there is no network coverage. This is a huge setback for our country because it limits access to financial services, remote healthcare, and quality education,” Dr. Tijani explained. He further stressed the security implications of connectivity gaps, noting that unconnected areas become difficult to govern effectively.
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has mandated the construction of approximately 7,000 telecom towers nationwide to address these issues. The digital village at Ibwa 2 is the first pilot in this ambitious project.
Home to over 12,000 residents, Ibwa 2 and neighboring communities, which previously had no telecommunications infrastructure, now benefit from reliable internet and mobile connectivity. But this project is about more than phone signals—it aims to transform key sectors.
One of the standout features of the digital village is its integration with local healthcare services. Through donated equipment from Huawei, the Ibwa 2 health center now facilitates remote consultations, allowing medical professionals to connect with specialists in Abuja and beyond. The Minister highlighted how this technology is revolutionizing healthcare delivery in remote areas, providing timely medical advice that was previously unavailable.
Similarly, education is seeing a remarkable transformation. With a shortage of qualified teachers in rural schools, remote learning facilitated by digital connectivity enables a science teacher from Lagos to instruct students in Ibwa 2 via video conferencing. This model promises to reduce educational disparities and ensure that children in rural Nigeria receive quality instruction.
Community-wide Wi-Fi access has also been established, granting residents the opportunity to connect to global networks for learning, commerce, and social interaction.
Dr. Tijani underscored the government’s commitment to inclusivity, pointing out that over 80% of unconnected Nigerian communities are located in the northern regions. The digital village initiative prioritizes these underserved areas to ensure balanced national connectivity.
The government’s efforts are bolstered by strategic partnerships with major industry players such as Huawei and Globacom. Huawei’s Managing Director for Nigeria Enterprise, Terrence Wu, described the collaboration as a groundbreaking example of innovation and teamwork. He emphasized the project’s three pillars: mobile connectivity, digital education, and accessible healthcare, which are essential to building resilient and inclusive communities.
Globacom’s Head of Division for North West, Mr. Kazeem Kaka, lauded the partnership as a milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation, calling for the community to safeguard the infrastructure and maximize the benefits of new technologies.
To promote affordability and wider adoption, the Ministry and Huawei donated 125 low-cost mobile phones, priced at approximately $25 each, to the community chief. This initiative aims to test and scale access to affordable smart devices and explore local manufacturing opportunities to further reduce costs.
The Ibwa 2 digital village pilot project represents a critical step in Nigeria’s journey toward digital inclusion. It aligns with the Federal Government’s broader vision of integrating all Nigerians into the digital economy, providing equal opportunities regardless of geographic location.
Nigeria’s economy increasingly depends on digital infrastructure to drive growth, improve governance, and enhance the quality of life. With millions still offline, rural and underserved communities face social exclusion and limited access to basic services. The digital village model is an innovative solution to connect these areas, reduce poverty, and empower citizens through technology.
By prioritizing investments in telecommunications and leveraging public-private partnerships, the Federal Government hopes to foster a digital ecosystem where education, healthcare, finance, and commerce can thrive—helping Nigeria leapfrog into a more prosperous future.