FG Approves Two Communication Satellites

The Federal Government has approved the acquisition of two new communication satellites to enhance Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and support President Bola Tinubu’s ambition of growing the economy to one trillion dollars.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja during a press conference held to commemorate Global Privacy Day 2026, organised by the Nigerian Data Protection Commission.

Tijani described the approval as a major shift in Nigeria’s digital strategy, noting that the country currently stands out in West Africa as lacking active communication satellites, a gap the new satellites are expected to fill.

He said, “As you know, Mr President has been very clear about his ambition to build a $1tn economy, and digital technology is central to achieving that vision.
“But I think most importantly, one that might come out to wrap your mind, that the President has now approved that we should procure two new satellites.

Nigeria today is the only country in West Africa with non-communication satellites. And we have been given the go-ahead to procure two new ones, ensuring that we can use that satellite to connect.”

The minister also disclosed that significant progress has been recorded on the Federal Government’s flagship 90,000-kilometre fibre optic backbone project aimed at expanding broadband access nationwide.

According to him, about 60 percent of the fibre optic project has already been completed, while funding for the remaining phase has been secured.

“The 90,000 kilometres fibre optic project is not a dream. About 60 per cent of the work has already been completed, and the funding for the project is secure. As we bring more Nigerians online, connectivity without protection is incomplete. Privacy is the foundation of trust, safety, and sustainability in the digital world.

“The success of Nigeria’s digital economy will depend not just on infrastructure and talent, but on trust, and the NDPC remains central to building that trust,” he said.

Tijani stated that the Tinubu administration is positioning digital technology as a critical driver of inclusive economic growth, improved public service delivery, and long-term national development.

He added that the government is also investing in digital skills development, rural connectivity, and institutional reforms to support the digital economy.

The minister stressed that expanding connectivity must go hand in hand with stronger data protection measures, especially as Nigeria’s young and digitally active population continues to grow.

He described the Nigerian Data Protection Commission as central to the country’s digital transformation, emphasising that trust and privacy are essential to sustaining innovation.

Tijani also noted that President Tinubu demonstrated early commitment to data protection by signing the Nigerian Data Protection Commission Act into law shortly after assuming office.

Meanwhile, the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Vincent Olatunji, said Nigeria’s data protection sector has grown into a N16.2 billion industry, generating thousands of jobs and boosting investor confidence.

Speaking at the same event in Abuja, Olatunji attributed the sector’s growth to stricter regulation following the enactment of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.

He disclosed that the sector has generated over N5.2 billion in compliance revenue and created more than 23,000 jobs across the country.

According to him, compliance oversight now spans both the public and private sectors, with 38,677 Data Controllers and Data Processors of Major Importance registered under the law, alongside 307 licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations.

He added that 8,155 compliance audit returns have been submitted so far, while 246 data breach investigations have been concluded, resulting in 11 enforcement actions, including fines and remediation directives.

Olatunji said the commission recently issued the General Application and Implementation Directive to clarify enforcement procedures, while the Data Protection Act has also been translated into three major Nigerian languages to improve public understanding.

He noted that Nigeria’s strengthened data protection framework has enhanced the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors, as independent data protection authorities are now a key requirement for cross-border business partnerships.

The commissioner revealed that Nigeria has gained international recognition, winning the Picasso Award for Best Data Protection Authority in Africa and securing membership in bodies such as the Global Privacy Assembly and the Network of African Data Protection Authorities.

On capacity building, he said the commission has organised 168 training programmes with more than 104,000 beneficiaries, launched the first National Data Protection Officer Certification Examination, certified 494 professionals, and introduced youth-focused digital privacy initiatives.

He explained that these achievements form part of activities lined up for the 2026 National Privacy Week, scheduled to hold from January 28 to February 4, with the theme, “Privacy in the Age of Emerging Technologies: Trust, Ethics and Innovation.”

Outlining priorities for the year, Olatunji said the commission will intensify enforcement of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, including sanctions against non-compliant organisations.

He added that the NDPC will scale up nationwide awareness to deepen public understanding of data protection and privacy, while also providing clearer guidance and hands-on support to organisations on best practices.

He further stated that capacity building will be strengthened through the certification of professionals under the National Data Protection Officer Certification programme to align Nigeria’s data protection standards with global best practices.

Separately, the Nigerian Communications Commission has announced plans to leverage satellite technology to expand mobile coverage to an estimated 23.3 million Nigerians who remain underserved by terrestrial networks.

Satellite-to-phone services, also known as direct-to-device or direct-to-cell connectivity, enable standard smartphones to connect directly to satellites for calls, messages, and data without relying on ground-based cell towers, helping to bridge coverage gaps in remote areas.

In a consultation paper published on its website, the regulator said the initiative is aimed at addressing persistent connectivity gaps identified in its 2024 cluster gap study, which highlighted 87 clusters with limited service.

The commission noted that advances in satellite and non-terrestrial network technologies now make it possible for mobile devices to connect directly to satellites, offering a practical solution for areas where traditional infrastructure is difficult or costly to deploy.