Nigeria’s ICT Sector Surges to N9.44tn, but Can It Bridge the Digital Divide?
Nigeria’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector has once again proven its economic might, contributing a staggering N9.44 trillion to the nation’s GDP in the third quarter of 2025. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite this impressive figure, the sector’s potential remains largely untapped due to a persistent digital divide. While urban centers like Lagos enjoy stable connectivity, vast rural areas are left struggling, raising questions about equitable growth and national development.
The Numbers Tell a Story of Both Promise and Inequality
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the telecommunications and information services subsector led the charge with N7.47 trillion, marking a 1.22% year-on-year growth. Broadcasting and motion pictures, sound recording, and music production followed with N1.04 trillion and N911.77 billion, respectively. Yet, these multibillion-naira contributions mask a deeper issue: the sector’s growth is unevenly distributed. And this is the part most people miss: the current economic output is just a fraction of what Nigeria could achieve if the government successfully bridges the infrastructure gap between coastal areas and the hinterland.
Stakeholders Demand Bold Action
Industry leaders and stakeholders are calling for urgent reforms, including improved subsea capacity, elimination of wasteful infrastructure duplication, and a commitment to local manufacturing. Leye Kupoluyi, President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasizes that broadband penetration is not just a luxury but a fundamental economic infrastructure. He argues that while Lagos thrives, the hinterland remains underserved, hindering sectors like agriculture, security, and food production.
Agriculture: The Untapped Digital Frontier
Kupoluyi highlights a critical point: digital connectivity is essential for the survival and growth of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, one of the nation’s largest employers. By integrating technology, the value-added potential of Nigerian cash crops, currently at 30%, could soar. A digitally connected farming ecosystem, he asserts, would translate into economic prosperity for the entire nation.
The Digital Safety Net: Ready but Unused
Beyond agriculture, Kupoluyi points to the National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) as ready-made tools for a digital safety net. He argues that the government already possesses the data needed to implement effective social welfare programs but lacks the will to centralize and execute these systems. Here’s the bold question: Is the government’s hesitation costing Nigerians their economic potential?
Infrastructure Inefficiency: A Critical Bottleneck
The inefficiency of Nigeria’s existing fibre optic infrastructure further complicates matters. Despite eight subsea cable systems delivering over 360 terabits per second of capacity, fixed broadband penetration remains a dismal 6%. Industry experts blame this on governance gaps, fragmentation, and the absence of a coordinated national framework. The current ‘operator-by-operator’ model leads to redundant, expensive infrastructure in major cities, while underserved states remain disconnected.
Project Bridge: A Beacon of Hope?
Operators are urging the Federal Government to accelerate ‘Project Bridge,’ a proposed 90,000-kilometre national fibre backbone. They advocate for an open-access principle to prevent duplication and reduce costs. Meanwhile, the government’s plan to construct 3,700 telecom towers in rural areas is a step in the right direction, but is it enough?
Local Manufacturing: The Missing Piece
Infrastructure expansion isn’t just about policy; it requires a robust local manufacturing base. George Onafowokan, Managing Director of Coleman Wires and Cables Industries Limited, stresses that the government must prioritize cable infrastructure as it does petroleum and cement. The recent inauguration of Coleman’s fibre optic cable factory in Ogun State is a significant milestone, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion economy.
The Way Forward: Action Over Perfection
Kupoluyi warns that the government cannot afford to wait for ‘100% perfection’ before acting. Delays in implementation prevent millions of Nigerians from engaging in meaningful production. Here’s the thought-provoking question for you: Is Nigeria’s digital future being held hostage by bureaucratic inertia? Share your thoughts in the comments below. The time to act is now, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
