The Federal Government, in partnership with ISP Tizeti and state‑owned tech firm Galaxy Backbone, has successfully rolled out high‑speed fibre‑optic internet connectivity to student hostels at both the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the University of Abuja, marking a significant boost to academic and digital infrastructure on campus.
Tizeti, renowned for its solar-powered broadband services across West Africa, is supporting this expansion through its FreeFiber® programme, which delivers ultra-fast speeds—up to 1 Gbps—and is part of a nationwide initiative to reduce bandwidth costs by up to 90%, in line with FG’s 90,000 km fibre backbone drive .
Meanwhile, Galaxy Backbone, as the implementing agency for Phase II of the National ICT Infrastructure Backbone (NICTIB), now provides a resilient fibre-optic ring connecting Abuja–Minna–Ilorin–Ibadan–Lagos, spanning over 5,000 km and linking 27 state capitals . This infrastructure is critical to enabling fibre connectivity in university hostels in both Lagos and Abuja.
The dual deployment serves multiple objectives:
Academic Advantage: Students at UNILAG and UniAbuja now have seamless access to reliable, high-speed internet for research, e-learning, and academic collaboration—aligning with UNILAG’s goal to upgrade to 10 Gbps broadband connectivity .
Digital Equity: By bringing government-grade infrastructure directly to student accommodations, the initiative narrows the digital divide and enhances ICT inclusion.
Economic Impact: The collaboration between public and private sectors supports the Federal Government’s vision of attaining 70% broadband penetration by 2025, furthering Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda .
Tizeti CEO, Kendall Ananyi, stated that FreeFiber® delivers “unparalleled unlimited speed and reliability,” referencing its 1 Gbps service in Lagos and Port Harcourt .
Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, MD/CEO of Galaxy Backbone, emphasized the strategic importance of the NICTIB fibre ring: “The expansion of our fibre optic network … is a significant step forward in our mission to bridge the digital divide and position Nigeria as a leader in the global digital economy” .
What lies ahead:
Expansion of service to more universities and public institutions.
Continued reduction in internet costs for end users via Government-ISP partnerships.
Infrastructure upgrades supporting advanced digital services, including e-governance and telemedicine.
This fibre deployment marks a crucial milestone in bridging educational and infrastructural gaps within Nigerian tertiary institutions—enhancing academic delivery and propelling national digital empowerment.