In a bold step toward transforming the nation’s digital infrastructure, the Federal Government of Nigeria has issued an expression of interest for a Technical Advisor to guide the planning, design, and execution of a sprawling 90,000-kilometre fibre-optic network. This initiative, known as the Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth (BRIDGE), is financed by the World Bank and structured under a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
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Setting the Stage: Nigeria’s Digital Transformation Ambitions
This initiative represents a defining moment in Nigeria’s digital evolution. When completed, the BRIDGE project will establish the most extensive fibre-optic backbone in the country’s history, connecting homes, schools, offices, hospitals, and critical institutions across all states and geopolitical zones.
More than just an infrastructure upgrade, the project anchors President Bola Tinubu’s larger economic vision: harnessing technology to catalyse inclusive growth, bridge regional divides, and pave the way toward a $1-trillion economy. Experts estimate that enhancements in broadband quality could yield a 1% increase in GDP for every 10% improvement in connectivity.
What Does the Technical Advisor Bring to the Table?
The government is looking for a consulting firm with deep domain expertise—specifically:
- Minimum 10 years of experience in technical advisory roles on large-scale digital infrastructure.
- Demonstrable track record in fibre-optic network deployment across at least three projects.
- Proficiency in technical feasibility assessments, due diligence, and gap analysis.
- Strong capability in geospatial analysis and GIS-driven broadband planning, particularly in emerging-market contexts.
The Technical Advisor’s responsibilities include:
- Collaborating with legal, financial, and supply chain experts to align infrastructure plans with both Nigerian regulations and international best practices.
- Reviewing and validating technical designs to ensure operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and commercial viability.
- Contributing to the creation of a robust, standards-aligned network that balances precision engineering with long-term economic realism.
This contract spans a 12-month period, during which the advisor will lay the technical groundwork for execution under the SPV model.
A High-Stakes Collaboration: Governance and Execution
Project Structure Overview
- Funding: Provided by the World Bank, with additional capital and operational input from private sector partners.
- SPV Governance Model: The SPV will manage implementation, with majority private-sector ownership (51%), ensuring operational agility and investment returns, while the government retains strategic oversight.
The Technical Advisor must harmonise technical, financial, and legal frameworks, ensuring that strategic decisions reflect both national priorities and market confidence.
Selection Mechanism
Proposals will be evaluated using the Quality-and-Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) method—this aligns with the World Bank’s procurement regulations, balancing technical excellence with fiscal responsibility.
Engagement Timeline
Expressions of Interest must be submitted by August 18, 2025, either via email (Projectbridge@fmcide.gov.ng) or in person at the designated Abuja office.
Why This Role Matters: Impacts and Strategic Significance
1. Catalysing Connectivity Nationwide
By enabling access to high-speed internet across rural and urban landscapes, the BRIDGE project promises real gains in:
- Education: Remote learning becomes viable, empowering students coast-to-coast.
- Healthcare: Telemedicine and data sharing gain ground in underserved areas.
- Commerce: SMEs and startups gain digital channels, fueling innovation and economic inclusion.
2. Economic Multipliers in Action
Investment in digital infrastructure is fertile ground for exponential returns. An accessible fibre-optic network could spark productivity, job creation, and sectoral linkages in fintech, agriculture tech, creative industries, and beyond.
3. Institutional Legacy
This Technical Advisor role is more than a service contract—it’s an opportunity to help forge Nigeria’s digital foundation. With global best practices, creative problem-solving, and cross-sector collaboration, the chosen firm will set standards and pave pathways into the future.
4. De-Risking the Investment
By validating technical feasibility, optimising design parameters, and ensuring compliance with legal and financial frameworks, the advisor helps protect investor confidence and fortify the project’s long-run viability.
A Call to Action for Global Expertise
The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy is inviting global and local consulting firms to step forward, especially those with deep experience in GIS-powered broadband planning, PPP structures, and infrastructure project management in emerging markets. The role demands precision, foresight, and a holistic understanding of how digital infrastructure intertwines with development goals.
Interested firms are reminded that the evaluation emphasises both technical quality and cost-effectiveness. Successful bidders will shape how Nigeria connects, competes, and thrives in the digital age.
Conclusion
The BRIDGE initiative is more than infrastructure—it is an invitation to redefine possibility in Nigeria. The Technical Advisor who steps into this role will help write chapters in education equality, healthcare innovation, economic inclusion, and national competitiveness.
It’s a moment that extends beyond fibre cables—it’s about empowering millions, unlocking potential, and shaping a digitally resilient nation.
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