FG Acts on Bende Connectivity Gaps as Kalu’s Push Yields Telecoms Tower Launch

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, is expected to attend the launch of a telecommunications tower under the National Universal Communications Access Programme (NUCAP) in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.

The event, scheduled for Friday, October 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., will mark a significant step in the Federal Government’s efforts to expand mobile network coverage and broadband access in underserved communities across the country.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, are also featured on the invitation for the ceremony.

The launch follows the Federal Government’s announcement that Bende has been prioritised under NUCAP, an initiative designed to extend reliable telecommunications services to communities with inadequate commercial network coverage.

In September, Tijani disclosed that a telecommunications tower along the Umuahia–Ohafia Road in Bende was nearing completion. He also indicated that between five and eight additional strategically located sites might be required to achieve substantial coverage across the local government area.

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The proposed intervention is expected to cover communities including Uzuakoli, Ozuitem/Nkpa, Item, Igbere, Alayi/Ugwueke and Itumbauzo/Umuhu-Ezechi, subject to technical assessments.

The minister had acknowledged Kalu’s role in drawing the Federal Government’s attention to connectivity gaps in Bende and described the constituency as one of the priority areas under the programme.

Improved telecommunications infrastructure is expected to strengthen commercial activities, support farmers and traders, expand digital opportunities for young people and improve access to online educational, healthcare, financial and government services.

The initiative could also improve network availability for digital technologies associated with the 2027 general elections.

The Federal Government has expressed the ambition of substantially connecting Bende before Christmas 2026, although the extent of coverage will depend on implementation and the outcome of technical assessments.

The tower launch represents part of broader efforts to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide and ensure that communities outside major commercial network corridors can participate more fully in the digital economy.