Tech executives to debate fibre coverage at summit

Tech executives, authorities officers, and key stakeholders in Nigeria’s digital financial system are set to convene on the eighth version of the Coverage Implementation Assisted Discussion board to advance discussions on a Nationwide Dig-As soon as Coverage, a framework designed to speed up the nation’s fibre-optic infrastructure enlargement.

The discussion board is scheduled for Thursday, 16 April 2026, on the Radisson Blu Lodge, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, and can deliver collectively leaders from the telecommunications, infrastructure, and expertise sectors to coordinate efforts across the Federal Authorities’s $2bn Mission BRIDGE initiative. The undertaking goals to develop Nigeria’s nationwide fibre community from 35,000 kilometres to 125,000 kilometres by 2030.

Themed ‘Accelerating Nigeria’s Digital Spine: Dig As soon as Coverage, Mission BRIDGE and Methods for Efficient Fibre Deployment’, PIAFo 8.0 will concentrate on addressing challenges comparable to repeated fibre cuts throughout highway development, excessive Proper of Approach expenses, and uncoordinated civil works which have traditionally slowed community enlargement.

In accordance with the Nigerian Communications Fee, greater than 50,000 fibre cuts have been recorded nationwide in 2024, with over 60 per cent occurring throughout roadworks. Telecom operators in Lagos alone spent over N5bn that yr to restore broken infrastructure, underscoring the urgency of a coordinated Dig-As soon as framework.

Group Lead at Enterprise Metrics Restricted, Omobayo Azeez, organiser of the discussion board, mentioned the occasion supplies a platform for stakeholders to align on actionable methods that can safeguard Mission BRIDGE and fast-track nationwide connectivity objectives.

“Mission BRIDGE represents an bold leap for Nigeria’s digital infrastructure. To totally leverage the nation’s high-capacity undersea cable networks, we want a Dig-As soon as coverage that ensures secure, cost-effective, and coordinated fibre deployment throughout public infrastructure initiatives,” Azeez mentioned.

PIAFo 8.0 will function keynote addresses, professional panel discussions, and networking periods designed to strengthen collaboration amongst federal, state, and native authorities, telecom operators, infrastructure corporations, information centre operators, and tools producers.

The discussion board continues PIAFO’s mission of bridging the hole between coverage formulation and implementation, offering a high-level platform for sensible options to Nigeria’s broadband and digital infrastructure challenges.