The Federal Government has commissioned the first tower under the Nigeria Universal Communication Access Project (NUCAP) in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, marking the commencement of a nationwide rollout to extend reliable telecommunications services to unserved and underserved communities.

The tower was commissioned on Friday, 16 October 2026, by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. ’Bosun Tijani, alongside the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu.

NUCAP will deploy 3,700 telecommunications sites nationwide, with the aim of connecting nearly 20 million Nigerians currently without access to reliable telephone and internet services. The project is designed to expand access to digital opportunities, including education, healthcare, financial services and economic activities, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach communities.

Speaking at the commissioning, Dr. Tijani said the project reflects H.E President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate to bring more Nigerians online and ensure that geography does not limit access to opportunity.

“We are delivering 3,700 of the towers you are seeing behind across the entire country. The commissioning in Bende is the first,” the Honourable Minister said.

He noted that improved connectivity would make a practical difference to everyday life, from helping farmers contact buyers and traders complete transactions to enabling families to reach essential services when they need them.

Dr. Tijani commended Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu for his efforts in attracting the project to Bende and urged residents and community leaders to protect the infrastructure to ensure its long-term benefit.

In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker described the tower as a new channel of opportunity for residents, highlighting the role of connectivity in improving access to information, markets and essential services.

“Roads connect our communities physically. Communication networks connect our people to knowledge, connect our people to services, connect our people to markets, and to one another. The community needs both if they want to prosper,” he said.

NUCAP forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide through the expansion of communications infrastructure, rural broadband access, public Wi-Fi and digital learning solutions. Its nationwide rollout is expected to bring more communities into the digital economy and create greater opportunities for Nigerians to participate in economic and social life.

The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy will continue to work with relevant agencies, infrastructure partners and communities to advance the implementation of NUCAP and expand meaningful connectivity across Nigeria.