Abuja – The World Bank has approved two major loan facilities for Nigeria worth a combined $750 million, aimed at expanding broadband infrastructure and strengthening the country’s health security systems.
In a statement issued over the weekend, the multilateral lender announced that $500 million would be committed to the Broadband for Resilient and Inclusive Digital Growth in Nigeria (Project BRIDGE), while an additional $250 million would go toward reinforcing the nation’s capacity to prevent and respond to health emergencies.
Under Project BRIDGE, Nigeria’s fibre-optic backbone is expected to increase nearly fourfold, expanding from the current 35,000 kilometres to about 125,000 kilometres. According to the World Bank, this will extend affordable, high-speed internet access to underserved and rural communities, bridging the digital divide and enabling broader participation in the digital economy. The initiative is also designed to support climate-resilient infrastructure, ensuring that broadband networks remain functional in the face of extreme weather and environmental challenges.
The $250 million health security loan will fund improvements to Nigeria’s public health systems, particularly in surveillance, diagnostics, and emergency response. The World Bank noted that the programme builds on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and aims to enhance readiness for future outbreaks. Key investments will include upgrading laboratory networks, training health workers, and improving rapid-response mechanisms across the federation.
The Bank stressed that both projects reflect its broader commitment to Nigeria’s development priorities, which place emphasis on inclusive digital growth and stronger social safety nets. Officials said the investments are expected to create jobs, promote innovation, and safeguard public health, while also positioning Nigeria to better withstand economic shocks linked to global health crises or climate change.
The approvals come at a time when Nigeria faces mounting pressure to diversify its economy and strengthen resilience in critical sectors. Analysts have described the loans as strategic interventions that could accelerate digital inclusion and improve national health outcomes if efficiently implemented.
