The Federal Government has approved the procurement of two new communication satellites to strengthen Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and accelerate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s plan to grow the economy to $1 trillion.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr. Bosun Tijani, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at a press conference to mark Global Privacy Day 2026, organised by the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
Tijani said the approval represents a major shift in Nigeria’s digital strategy, noting that the country currently lacks active communication satellites, unlike its West African peers.
“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,” the minister said.
“Nigeria today is the only country in West Africa with non-communication satellites. We have now been given approval to procure two new communication satellites to ensure we can leverage space assets to improve national connectivity,” he added.
The minister also provided an update on the Federal Government’s flagship 90,000-kilometre fibre-optic backbone project, aimed at expanding broadband access nationwide.
According to him, about 60 per cent of the project has 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 funding for the remaining work is secure,” Tijani said.
He stressed that expanding connectivity must go hand in hand with stronger data protection, describing privacy as critical to trust and sustainability in the digital economy.
“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 minister said, adding that the NDPC remains central to building public confidence.
Tijani noted that the Tinubu administration is positioning digital technology as a driver of inclusive growth, improved public service delivery and long-term economic expansion, with investments also being channelled into digital skills, rural connectivity and institutional reforms.
He further said President Tinubu demonstrated early commitment to data protection by signing the Nigeria Data Protection Commission Act into law shortly after assuming office.
Meanwhile, the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Mr. Vincent Olatunji, said Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem has grown into a ₦16.2 billion industry, creating thousands of jobs and boosting investor confidence.
Speaking at the same event, Olatunji attributed the growth to stricter regulation following the enactment of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.
According to him, the sector has generated over ₦5.2 billion in compliance revenue and created more than 23,000 jobs nationwide.
He said 38,677 Data Controllers and Data Processors of Major Importance have been registered under the law, alongside 307 licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations.
Olatunji added that 8,155 compliance audit returns have been submitted, while 246 data breach investigations have been concluded, resulting in 11 enforcement actions, including fines and remediation directives.
He said the commission has also issued a General Application and Implementation Directive to clarify enforcement procedures and translated the Data Protection Act into three major Nigerian languages to improve public awareness.
According to the commissioner, Nigeria’s strengthening data protection framework has improved its appeal to foreign investors, noting that independent data protection authorities are now a key requirement for cross-border business partnerships.
Olatunji disclosed that Nigeria has gained international recognition, winning the Picasso Award for Best Data Protection Authority in Africa and securing membership of global bodies such as the Global Privacy Assembly and the Network of African Data Protection Authorities.
On capacity building, he said the NDPC has organised 168 training programmes with more than 104,000 beneficiaries, launched the National Data Protection Officer Certification Examination, and certified 494 professionals.
He said the milestones form part of activities lined up for the 2026 National Privacy Week, scheduled for January 28 to February 4, with the theme: “Privacy in the Age of Emerging Technologies: Trust, Ethics and Innovation.”
Looking ahead, Olatunji said the commission will intensify enforcement of the Data Protection Act, expand public awareness, and provide clearer guidance to organisations on compliance, while strengthening professional certification to align Nigeria’s data protection regime with global standards.
