With the continuous rise of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies that are reshaping economies around the world, Nigeria must position itself as a leader in digital innovation rather than a consumer of technologies developed elsewhere, the Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB), Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, has said.
Adeyanju made the call on Monday in Abuja during a media briefing marking the commencement of activities to mark the organisation’s 20th anniversary.
According to him, the future of national competitiveness will increasingly depend on digital capabilities, making it imperative for Nigeria to take a more active role in shaping technological innovation.
“The question before us is simple: Will Nigeria merely consume these innovations? Or will Nigeria actively shape how they transform our nation?” he said.
“At Galaxy Backbone, our answer is clear. We choose to lead. We choose to innovate. We choose to collaborate and we choose to build.”
Established in 2006, Galaxy Backbone was created by the Federal Government to provide a shared digital infrastructure platform for government institutions, with the aim of reducing duplication, improving efficiency, enhancing service delivery, and supporting Nigeria’s long-term digital development.
Twenty years later, the organisation says it has evolved into one of the country’s strategic digital infrastructure providers, supporting connectivity, cloud services, cybersecurity, data hosting, and other digital platforms used across the public sector.
Adeyanju said the company’s fibre infrastructure now spans nearly 30 states, connecting Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and supporting the delivery of digital government services.
He added that Galaxy Backbone’s Uptime-certified Tier III and Tier IV data centres, alongside its One Government Cloud platform, provide secure environments for hosting critical government systems while strengthening data sovereignty and digital trust.
“We have delivered platforms such as GovMail, our homegrown official government email, collaboration tools, hosting services, connectivity solutions and shared applications that support thousands of public servants and hundreds of institutions every day,” he said.
Despite these achievements, the GBB boss argued that the organisation’s value should not be measured solely by infrastructure.
“The true value of Galaxy Backbone is measured by impact — faster government services, improved collaboration between institutions, enhanced transparency and accountability, stronger cybersecurity and digital trust, better access to information and ultimately improved service delivery to citizens.”
Looking ahead, Adeyanju identified artificial intelligence, cloud computing, automation, data analytics, and cybersecurity as technologies that will define the next phase of global economic competition.
He noted that Galaxy Backbone’s next chapter would focus on maximising existing infrastructure, expanding digital access, supporting sub-national governments and businesses, and creating more opportunities for Nigerians to participate in the digital economy.
As part of its anniversary celebrations, the organisation will host its inaugural Digital Transformation Summit themed “Powering Nigeria’s Digital Future.” The summit is expected to bring together policymakers, industry leaders, academics, technology companies, development partners, and innovators to explore how digital technologies can strengthen governance, accelerate economic growth, and improve public service delivery.
Adeyanju also announced plans to unveil a refreshed corporate identity, which he said reflects the organisation’s evolution from a government ICT infrastructure provider into a broader digital transformation enabler.
“Twenty years ago, Galaxy Backbone was founded on a vision. Today, that vision is alive and stronger than ever,” he said.
“The first twenty years were remarkable. The next twenty years will be transformational.”
