The Federal Government of Nigeria is embarking on a significant initiative to bolster its digital economy and ensure widespread access to quality connectivity across the nation. This ambitious plan includes a substantial investment of $2 billion in a 90,000-kilometre submarine cable network, aiming to provide millions of Nigerians with robust internet access, irrespective of their geographical location. This move underscores President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to driving Nigeria towards becoming a $1 trillion economy, a goal the entire Cabinet is diligently working towards.

Complementing this effort, the United States government also awarded Nigeria a $2,095,000 grant. This grant is earmarked for boosting the country's digital infrastructure by deploying 90,000 kilometres of new fibre optic backbone infrastructure across Nigeria, further enhancing the nation's connectivity landscape.

In a display of global leadership, Nigeria is hosting the inaugural International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit in Abuja between February 26 and 27. This pivotal event, organized under the auspices of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), brings together representatives from 50 countries and over 250 relevant stakeholders, including experts from governments, the private sector, major submarine cable layers, vendors, and academia. The summit’s primary objective is to lead a global conversation on protecting submarine cables and preventing the frequent cuts and damage that occur in deep seas.

Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, emphasized the critical importance of resilient cable infrastructure, describing it as “the real backbone for the digital economy.” He highlighted that no economy operates in isolation, and global interconnectedness necessitates securing crucial digital infrastructure. The minister, who also co-chairs the Advisory Body for this initiative alongside Prof. Sandra Maximiano of Portugal’s ANACOM, noted Nigeria's readiness to explore innovative ways to accelerate its digital economy, making it more competitive and value-driven.

The dependence of the digital world on submarine cables is immense, as they carry the bulk of global internet traffic, connecting continents and ensuring rapid digital communication. As ITU Deputy Secretary-General Tomas Lamanauskas pointed out, even traffic routed via satellites often relies on submarine cables for fast, long-distance connections. However, this vital infrastructure faces constant threats, with approximately 150 to 200 cable cuts occurring globally each year. These disruptions cause significant connectivity issues across all sectors of the global economy, including banking and telecommunications.

A notable incident occurred in March 2024, when undersea disruptions in West Africa affected 13 countries in the region and other parts of the world. Cable damage near Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Portugal severely impacted businesses, including banks, stock exchanges, and mobile money transactions. The summit was organized as a direct response to such incidents, aiming to prevent future occurrences and mitigate their impact.

During the summit, experts and stakeholders are examining comprehensive strategies to respond to disruptions, focusing on crisis management, recovery efforts, technological innovations, and improved maintenance procedures. A key recommendation from the ITU is to advise countries against depending solely on one cable, encouraging redundancy to ensure that nations remain connected even when disruptions occur. This collective effort underscores Nigeria’s commitment and leadership in securing a resilient and accessible digital future for its citizens and the global community.