The Federal Government, in collaboration with Globacom and Huawei Technologies, has launched a pilot Digital Village project aimed at connecting over 7,000 underserved communities across the country.
The inaugural site was commissioned on Wednesday in Isuanin Kura, Ibwa 2, located in the Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, marking the start of a bold national initiative.
Led by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the project delivers voice and data services, digital healthcare, and remote learning to more than 12,000 residents of the host community.
At the commissioning ceremony, Minister Dr. Bosun Tijani emphasized the transformational impact of digital access in remote areas.
“Where you live should not determine your access to opportunity. We are using innovation to ensure every Nigerian, regardless of location, can thrive in the digital age,” Dr. Tijani stated.
He noted that more than 20 million Nigerians remain unconnected due to infrastructural deficits, hindering access to critical services like financial inclusion, healthcare, education, and even governance.
Globacom’s Group Chief Technical Director, Mr. Sanjib Roy, detailed the company’s contribution to the initiative, which includes providing microwave backhaul connectivity, access to Glo’s core network infrastructure, and ongoing operational management of the site to ensure consistent and high-quality service delivery.
“The Smart Education facility allows young students to be taught remotely by teachers from Abuja or any part of the world, while healthcare is enhanced through telemedicine solutions—connecting local patients to doctors in real-time,” Roy said. He noted that the entire system is solar-powered, ensuring sustainability and uninterrupted services.
The event featured a live demonstration where the community chief, Abubakar Bamaiyi, had a real-time consultation with a doctor in Abuja, and local students received instruction from a teacher based in Lagos—illustrating the immediate impact of the digital tools.
Kazeem Kaka, Globacom’s Head of Division (North West), reaffirmed the telco’s commitment to democratizing access to connectivity:
“Since 2003, Glo has championed efforts to make telephony and internet services more accessible. This project is a continuation of that legacy—empowering rural Nigerians through technology,” Kaka said.
Huawei’s Managing Director, Terrens Wu, praised the partnership and affirmed the company’s dedication to using digital solutions to foster rural development. To bolster access, Huawei also donated 120 smartphones to community residents.
The pilot is expected to serve as a model for future rollouts, contributing significantly to national objectives for inclusive digital transformation.
