For years, Nigeria's high-speed internet has been concentrated in urban hubs like Lagos and Abuja. Project BRIDGE (Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth) is about to change that. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the initiative has recently secured a massive $845 million (~₦171 billion) in funding commitments from global partners like the World Bank, AfDB, and the EU.
The goal is staggering: laying 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable to complete the national target of 120,000km. This isn't just about faster Netflix; it’s about providing the backbone for telemedicine, e-learning in rural schools, and digital government services in every corner of the country.
What makes Project BRIDGE different from past infrastructure projects is its accountability model. The World Bank funding follows a "pay-for-results" framework. An initial $6 million is being released this year to set up the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), but the bulk of the funding—over $155 million—will only be unlocked in 2027 once the first 5,000km of fiber meet strict technical benchmarks.
Economists estimate that this connectivity surge could raise Nigeria's GDP from $472 billion to over $502 billion within four years. By lowering the cost of data and increasing reliability, Project BRIDGE is expected to:
Empower 3MTT Fellows: Providing the high-speed access needed for remote tech work.
Enable AI Hubs: Supporting the massive data centers required for Nigeria's growing AI ambitions.
Reduce Business Costs: Lowering the overhead for SMEs that currently rely on expensive satellite or mobile data.
Title: The End of 2FA? Why 3-Factor Authentication is Coming to Your Banking App
Excerpt: As deepfake voice clones and AI-driven fraud surge, the CBN is pushing for a shift from traditional SMS codes to "Proof-of-Life" security. From March 2026, your banking app experience is about to get a lot more high-tech.
Tags: #Cybersecurity #3FA #BankingSecurity #CBN #Deepfakes #FintechNigeria #FraudPrevention
Nigeria’s financial sector is facing a new kind of enemy. According to recent reports from March 2026, criminal networks are now using Generative AI to create deepfake voice impersonations and "Frankenstein" synthetic identities. Traditional Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)—where you just enter an SMS code—is no longer enough to stop these high-tech heists.
To combat this, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and security experts are pushing for Three-Factor Authentication (3FA). Starting this month, top-tier banks are rolling out "Proof-of-Life" biometric checks.
This means for high-value transfers, your app won't just ask for a PIN; it might require:
Something you know: Your password/PIN.
Something you have: Your registered mobile device.
Something you are: A live facial scan or "finger-vein" recognition that proves you are a living person, not an AI-generated image.
Title: 3MTT Impact Challenge: From Learning to Earning in the 2026 Tech Market
Excerpt: With 1.8 million Nigerians in the talent pipeline, the 3MTT program is entering its "Scale-Up" phase. The new Impact Challenge is here to celebrate the 15,000+ jobs already created and award the next generation of innovators.
Tags: #3MTT #TechTalent #DigitalSkills #BosunTijani #NigeriaTech #My3MTTStory #NextGenFellowship
The 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program has hit a major milestone. As of March 2026, the Minister of Communications, Bosun Tijani, confirmed that over 135,000 Nigerians have completed the pilot phase across three cohorts, with an additional 300,000 learners benefiting from community resources.
Even more impressive is the "Real Outcome" metric: 15,000 job and opportunity pathways have already been created for fellows in fields like Data Science, Software Development, and AI/ML.
To kick off the new "Scale-Up" phase, the government has launched the Impact Challenge. Fellows are encouraged to share their "Before and After" stories on social media to show how tech has changed their lives.
Prizes: Winners are walking away with laptops, e-tablets, and high-speed data bundles.
The Goal: Measuring how digital skills are translating into actual economic power across the 36 states.
For those looking for an even deeper dive, the Airtel x 3MTT NextGen Fellowship is now the premier track for top-performing talent. Backed by a ₦1 billion commitment, this fellowship provides specialized mentorship and hands-on project experience in advanced domains like Cloud Computing and Product Management.
