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| Lagos fibre expansion project begins |
The Lagos State Government has landed a $22 million foreign direct investment (FDI). This fund will expand fibre optic links across the city. The drive will add 2,700 km of ducts. Combined with 3,000 km in place, this will cover many more districts. The deal underlines Lagos’s aim to be a top digital hub in Africa.
The cash arrived through the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency. This agency, known as LASIMRA, handles major projects for roads, bridges, and utilities. Officials broke the news on May 20, 2025, at a state press briefing under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s watch. Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Femi Daramola, led the announcement.
Lagos holds Africa’s largest urban economy. It has rapid population growth. It also faces heavy traffic and patchy internet in some areas. The state ranks high in mobile use but lags in fixed broadband coverage. This fibre plan aims to close that gap.
Daramola said the new funding will lower costs for private operators. This will help them serve new neighbourhoods and business districts. The plan ties into the Nigeria National Broadband Plan. That plan targets 90 percent broadband by end of 2025.
Key Numbers
$22 million FDI for fibre network expansion
2,700 km planned ducts (new).
3,000 km existing ducts completed by 2024.
90 percent national broadband goal by 2025.
The fibre rollout will widen access in schools, hospitals, and markets. It will help startups and tech hubs. Better internet speeds will drive online trade and services. Lagos has over 1 million internet subscribers. That count rose by 200,000 in one year, after prior fibre work began.
Citizens should see faster video calls and smoother banking. Small firms will tap new cloud tools. Remote jobs can grow outside central Lagos. Experts say a 10 percent jump in fibre access can lift GDP by 2.5 percent.
Dr. Bosun Tijani leads the federal digital economy ministry. He noted Nigeria’s ninefold FDI jump in digital projects from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024. That gain rose from $22 million to $191 million. He credits strong reforms and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) scheme for skills growth. He sees Lagos as vital for this momentum.
Right-of-way charges once slowed fibre digs. Lagos cut those fees in 2023 for key routes. Still, some traders worry road work will disrupt shops. Others fret about cables along gutters or trees. LASIMRA pledges strict safety checks to limit damage and block hazards.
Power outages can stall network gear. The state plans more solar‑backed power at key junctions. It aims for 95 percent uptime for active nodes.
Workers in Ikeja and Surulere already drill ducts and place manholes. Traffic is eased by night work and quick fixes. Residents praise the quieter process and fair notices.
At Tincan Island Market, traders logged 30 percent sales gains after a fibre link went live. They now handle orders for goods beyond Lagos. The market chairman looks to boost exports via online platforms.
LASIMRA invites private internet firms to bid on build‑operate deals. Contracts will run 15 years. Each operator must link at least 50 neighbourhood nodes and train local tech teams.
Gov. Sanwo‑Olu will host an investor forum in June 2025. He’ll share progress and showcase fibre pilots. State officials aim to win more FDI and public grants.
The plan wins praise for scale and speed. Yet some call for clearer guardrails. They want public reports on mapping, budgets, and hiring. Civil groups seek more nods for low‑income housing estates.
Given Lagos’s size and pace, experts liken the move to a marathon, not a sprint. Success will need steady funds, lean teams, and open data.