BREAKING: Tinubu Approves Purchase Of Two New Communication Satellites

According to Ireporter Online, the Federal Government has approved the acquisition of two new communication satellites as part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and support President Bola Tinubu’s goal of expanding the nation’s economy to $1 trillion.

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

Tijani described the approval as a significant shift in the country’s digital development strategy, noting that Nigeria currently stands out in West Africa for not having active communication satellites. He explained that the new satellites would enhance space-based connectivity and position digital technology as a key driver of economic growth.

The minister stated that President Tinubu has consistently emphasised the role of digital innovation in achieving the administration’s ambitious economic targets, adding that the procurement of the satellites would help bridge connectivity gaps across the country.

He further explained that Nigeria’s lack of communication satellites had limited its ability to fully leverage satellite connectivity for nationwide digital inclusion, stressing that the newly approved satellites would address this challenge.

Tijani also provided an update on the Federal Government’s 90,000-kilometre fibre optic backbone project, saying about 60 per cent of the work has been completed, while funding for the remaining phase has been secured. He assured that the project remains a key priority in expanding broadband access nationwide.

The minister cautioned that expanding digital access without adequate safeguards could be counterproductive, stressing that privacy and data protection are critical to building trust, safety and sustainability in the digital ecosystem.

He noted that the success of Nigeria’s digital economy would depend not only on infrastructure and skills development but also on public trust, describing the Nigerian Data Protection Commission as central to fostering confidence in the digital space.

Tijani added that President Tinubu demonstrated early commitment to data protection by signing the Nigerian Data Protection Commission Act into law shortly after assuming office, positioning digital technology as a tool for inclusive growth, improved public service delivery and long-term economic expansion.

Meanwhile, the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Vincent Olatunji, disclosed that Nigeria’s data protection industry has grown into a ₦16.2 billion sector, generating thousands of jobs and boosting investor confidence.

Olatunji attributed the growth to stricter regulatory enforcement following the enactment of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, revealing that the sector has generated over ₦5.2 billion in compliance revenue and created more than 23,000 jobs nationwide.

He said tens of thousands of data controllers and processors have been registered under the law, alongside hundreds of licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations. According to him, thousands of compliance audit returns have been submitted, while numerous data breach investigations have been concluded, leading to enforcement actions including fines and remediation directives.

The NDPC commissioner added that the commission has issued key implementation guidelines, translated the Data Protection Act into major Nigerian languages to improve public understanding and strengthened Nigeria’s global standing in data protection.

He noted that Nigeria has received international recognition for its data protection framework, including winning the Picasso Award for Best Data Protection Authority in Africa and securing membership in several global privacy bodies.

Olatunji also highlighted ongoing capacity-building efforts, including nationwide training programmes, professional certification initiatives and activities marking the 2026 National Privacy Week, scheduled to hold from January 28 to February 4.

Ireporter Online understands that the Nigerian Communications Commission has also outlined plans to leverage satellite technology to expand mobile coverage to millions of Nigerians currently underserved by terrestrial networks, using satellite-to-phone connectivity to bridge digital gaps, particularly in remote communities.