Industry stakeholders say skilled installers will be key to the success of the Federal Government's $2bn Project BRIDGE
As Nigeria embarks on one of its most ambitious digital infrastructure projects, industry experts have cautioned that the success of the Federal Government's nationwide fibre-optic expansion will depend not only on investment but also on the quality of installation and the competence of technical personnel.
The experts issued the warning during a two-day Siemon Certified Installer training programme held in Abuja, stressing that adherence to internationally recognised cabling standards would be essential to ensuring the reliability, durability and long-term performance of the country's broadband infrastructure.
The training programme was organised by The Siemon Company, a United States-based network infrastructure manufacturer, in collaboration with Mart Networks Group, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria's technical capacity ahead of major infrastructure deployments.
Project BRIDGE targets nationwide broadband expansion
The renewed focus on technical excellence comes as the Federal Government begins implementation of Project BRIDGE (Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth), a $2 billion initiative designed to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cables across the country.
When completed, the project is expected to increase Nigeria's fibre-optic backbone from approximately 35,000 kilometres to 125,000 kilometres, providing connectivity to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory while expanding broadband access through an open-access national network.
Stakeholders at the training programme said such a massive investment could only deliver its intended benefits if installations comply with international best practices from the outset.
Poor installation remains a major concern
Speaking during the event, Regional Sales Manager for West Africa at The Siemon Company, Adewale Olagbenro, said inadequate installation practices continue to account for many network failures and service interruptions experienced across the industry.
"This is part of what we do. Some of the value we add for our customers is by training them, engaging them and supporting them. That's why we organise this training at no cost to all our partners," Olagbenro said.
He explained that all installations carried out by certified partners are subjected to comprehensive testing before receiving final approval, ensuring they meet established performance standards.
"So many people don't know the rules or standards for cabling. They just say cable, cable, just lay cable. But there are some standards that you need to follow for your network infrastructure to work to international standards," he added.
According to him, Nigeria still trails many countries in digital infrastructure development and technical expertise, making continuous investment in professional training an important part of the country's digital transformation agenda.
Local data hosting opens new opportunities
Olagbenro also noted that the Central Bank of Nigeria's recent directive requiring regulated financial institutions to host critical data within the country is expected to stimulate fresh investment in data centres and advanced digital infrastructure.
"There are a lot of opportunities that would open," he said.
Industry observers believe the policy could accelerate demand for high-quality network infrastructure capable of supporting expanding cloud services, financial technology and enterprise digital operations.
Structured cabling vital to network performance
The training sessions were facilitated by The Siemon Company's Technical Manager for Africa, Dinesh O.P., who emphasised the importance of structured cabling in ensuring stable and efficient network operations.
He warned that many organisations still underestimate the impact of proper installation practices, noting that the use of substandard materials and poor workmanship can significantly reduce network performance and shorten infrastructure lifespan.
Also speaking, Country Manager of Mart Networks Group, Esther Oyedokun, said the programme was specifically designed to provide engineers and installers with practical knowledge of global installation standards.
"The training is to get them certified and equip them on how each and every solution Siemon produces can be installed to ensure that the end user gets optimal results," she said.
According to Oyedokun, participants included engineers from both public and private sector organisations, including Galaxy Backbone and several technology companies, reflecting growing industry interest in building a skilled workforce for Nigeria's expanding digital economy.
Building capacity for a digital future
One of the participants, Chief Technology Officer of Hafol Resources Limited, Landon Eroumuona, described the programme as an important opportunity for technology professionals to remain current with evolving industry standards and emerging technologies.
As Nigeria accelerates broadband expansion under Project BRIDGE, stakeholders say investing in technical competence alongside physical infrastructure will be crucial to delivering a resilient, high-performance digital network capable of supporting economic growth, innovation and nationwide connectivity for years to come.