The Federal Government will connect rural and riverine communities across the country to telecommunications services by mid-2027 as part of efforts to bridge the digital divide and support its $1 trillion economic ambition.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, disclosed this at Ogboghoro Community in Delta State during the inaugural BINI RIVA LIFE Festival, organised to mark the fifth coronation anniversary of the Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III.

Tijani said the Federal Government was installing 3,700 telecommunications towers in rural communities, including hard-to-reach riverine areas.

He said installation had commenced in Ogboghoro, while work was ongoing in Ogheye.

The Minister said he would return to the communities in October to flag off the network, expressing confidence that all riverine communities would be connected to the rest of the country and the global digital economy by mid-2027.

He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the programme as part of efforts to achieve the administration’s $1 trillion economic target.

Tijani said the target could not be achieved if millions of Nigerians remained excluded from digital connectivity.

He added that improved telecommunications services would help unlock the economic potential of riverine communities and give residents access to the wider digital economy.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, urged organisers of the festival to transform it from an annual event into a destination tourism platform capable of attracting visitors throughout the year.

Musawa said the Federal Government planned to include the festival in the ministry’s annual calendar to attract local and international tourists.

“Nigeria does not have to manufacture a tourism identity. We already have one. It lives in our rivers, in our communities, in our festivals, and in our fashion,” she said.

She identified music, craftsmanship, traditional practices and Nigeria’s cultural diversity as major tourism assets.

The National Leader of the community, Dr Godwin Ebosa, commended the Federal Government delegation for its interest in the development of riverine communities.

He said the festival had the potential to stimulate economic activities and infrastructural development in the host communities. (Daily Trust)