The Nigerian government, in collaboration with internet service provider Tizeti and state-owned tech firm Galaxy Backbone, has rolled out high-speed fibre-optic internet to student hostels at the University of Lagos and the University of Abuja.
The Fibre-to-Hostel initiative, launched recently, delivers internet speeds of 50 Mbps to 200 Mbps, giving students seamless access to online learning tools, research databases, and global innovation platforms.
The project, backed by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, is part of a broader push under Minister Bosun Tijani to close Nigeria’s digital gap and bolster its knowledge economy.
“Twenty years ago, internet access was a distant luxury. Today, we are delivering what we once dreamed of right to the doorstep of students,” the Chief Marketing Officer of Tizeti, Temitope Osunrinde, said during the launch.
The UNILAG alumnus described the initiative as a bold step to democratise access to the tools that power learning, research, and innovation.
The initiative leans on a public-private partnership model, with Tizeti, Galaxy Backbone, Huawei, and the National Broadband Alliance Nigeria driving execution. It’s built to emulate the global Triple Helix framework, linking government, academia, and industry to spark innovation and digital inclusion.
Students at the launch experienced internet speeds ranging between 50 Mbps and 200 Mbps, enabling seamless access to digital learning resources, online collaboration, and global innovation ecosystems.
The Chief Executive Officer of Tizeti, Kendall Ananyi, stressed that connectivity should no longer be a luxury.
“The internet is the fuel of innovation, the foundation of research, and the bridge to global opportunity,” the CEO said.
With reliable, high-speed internet by Tizeti, Galaxy Backbone and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, students now have the digital foundation to work smarter and innovate without limits.
CEO Ananyi stated, “We are not just connecting campuses; we are unlocking the next generation of African changemakers.”
The internet provider backed by the US Y Combinator has connected over three million Nigerians across states like Lagos, Ogun, and Rivers. Last year, it introduced FreeFiber broadband service, hitting speeds up to 1 Gbps in cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt.
The company plans to scale the Fibre-to-Hostel programme to five more universities, including Nnamdi Azikiwe University and the University of Jos, in a phased expansion.
Among the dignitaries present at the launch were the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa; the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folashade Ogunsola; the Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Patricia Lar; and the Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju.