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Digital Realty Nigeria, Nnamani Bag Awards in Nairobi
Digital Realty Nigeria, a leading provider of data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions, and Engr. Ike Nnamani it’s managing director were recently honoured with awards at the 10th African Digital Economy Awards in Nairobi, Kenya.
This is coming weeks after launching its third data center, known as LKK2, in Lagos, the company was honoured with the prestigious Data Center Provider of the Year award.
This recognition underscores Digital Realty’s rapid growth and significant contributions to Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, solidifying its position as a key player in the continent’s evolving tech landscape.
The timing of the award, so soon after a major expansion, speaks volumes about the company’s momentum and the market’s positive reception of its advanced facilities.
The accolades didn’t stop there. Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, the Managing Director of Digital Realty Nigeria, also received a personal honour, being named the Data Center Leader of the Year. This dual victory for both the company and its leader highlights the visionary leadership guiding Digital Realty’s strategic direction.
Nnamani, a respected figure in the telecommunications and data center industry, has been instrumental in shaping the company’s success and its commitment to building a robust and interconnected digital ecosystem in Nigeria.
Speaking to journalists after the ceremony, Engr. Nnamani expressed his profound gratitude for the awards, attributing the success to the collective effort of the entire team.
He noted that the recognition was not just for him or the company, but for the entire Nigerian technology community, which has shown incredible resilience and innovation. Nnamani emphasized that these awards serve as a powerful motivation to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in data center technology, ensuring that Nigeria remains at the forefront of Africa’s digital transformation.
He reiterated the company’s commitment to providing world-class infrastructure that supports the growth of businesses and empowers a digitally-driven economy.
Earlier in the event, Mr. Akin Naphtal, the Founder of the African Digital Economy Awards, praised Nnamani and Digital Realty for their significant impact. He specifically lauded their expertise in championing the data center connectivity ecosystem, noting that the company has established itself as the most connected data center in Nigeria.
This connectivity, Naphtal explained, is a crucial component of a thriving digital economy, as it enables seamless data exchange, cloud services, and enterprise solutions. The praise from a leading figure in the digital economy space further validated the company’s strategic focus on building highly interconnected and reliable infrastructure.
This latest honour adds to an impressive and growing list of awards for Engr. Nnamani, highlighting his consistent recognition as a leader in the tech industry. Earlier this year alone, he was also recognized with the ICT Personality of the Year at the Digital Innovation Awards (DIA), the ICT Personality of the Decade award at the Beacon of ICT (BoICT) Merit and Leadership Awards, Top 50 Most Valuable Personalities in Nigeria’s Digital Economy and Top 20 Titans Powering Africa’s Digital Infrastructure Revolution by Capacity Magazine for ITW Africa 2025.
These accolades collectively paint a picture of a leader whose contributions are consistently celebrated and highly valued by his peers and the wider industry.
The African Digital Economy Awards, now in its 10th year, serves as a vital platform for celebrating Africa’s digital champions and innovators. The event is deeply aligned with the African Union’s comprehensive digital transformation strategy, which aims to leverage technology to drive economic growth and social development across the continent.
This year’s milestone anniversary event was a powerful testament to the remarkable progress of Africa’s digital landscape, showcasing a vibrant ecosystem that has evolved from nascent tech hubs into a powerhouse of startups, digital innovators, and influential leaders like Engr. Nnamani. The awards ceremony not only recognizes past achievements but also inspires a new generation of digital pioneers.
Digital Realty Nigeria’s dual award victory at such a prestigious event is a clear indication of the company’s rising influence and its integral role in shaping Nigeria’s digital future.
As the demand for data continues to surge across the continent, the strategic expansion and leadership demonstrated by Digital Realty and Engr. Nnamani position them as frontrunners in providing the essential infrastructure required to support this growth. The company’s focus on connectivity, reliability, and innovation sets a high standard for the industry and ensures that Nigeria remains a key hub for digital services and investment in Africa.
Lagos State has become the first sub-national government in Nigeria to establish a comprehensive Greenhouse Gas Registry, a move aimed at strengthening climate governance, improving emissions accountability and accelerating the state’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
The Lagos State Greenhouse Gas Registry (LGHGR) was unveiled at the Central Business District, Alausa, Ikeja, at a ceremony attended by Prof. Akin Abayomi, commissioner for Health, members of the State Executive Council, representatives of the Federal Ministry of Environment, development partners, TPHG Technologies, the diplomatic and business communities, academics, civil society organisations and the media.
Describing the initiative as a landmark achievement in the state’s environmental sustainability drive, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, general manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), said the Registry marks a defining moment in Lagos’ climate action journey and reflects Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to building a resilient, climate-smart and environmentally sustainable economy.
According to Ajayi, the digital platform will enable the state to accurately measure, monitor, report and verify greenhouse gas emissions across key sectors, providing credible data to guide environmental policies and climate interventions.
He said the Registry would strengthen evidence-based decision-making, improve transparency and accountability, support national and international climate reporting obligations, unlock carbon market opportunities and boost investor confidence in Lagos’ environmental initiatives.
Ajayi also commended TPHG Technologies for providing the technical expertise that made the pioneering project possible.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Abayomi described the Registry as a major milestone that positions Lagos at the forefront of climate governance and emissions accountability in both Nigeria and Africa.
He noted that climate change has evolved into a significant public health and governance challenge, stressing that access to reliable emissions data would enable the state to formulate evidence-based policies, attract climate financing, strengthen resilience and accelerate its transition to a low-carbon economy.
Providing insights into the technical framework of the project, Dr. Mofoluso Fagbeja, lead consultant and chief executive officer, TPHG Technologies, explained that the Registry was developed from the greenhouse gas inventory jointly undertaken by LASEPA and TPHG Technologies in 2022, using 2019 as the baseline year for emissions assessment.
He said the platform is designed to close critical emissions data gaps, particularly within the industrial sector, while supporting effective climate policy implementation, emissions management and sustainable development.
Fagbeja also disclosed that the greenhouse gas inventory estimated that poor air quality contributes to about 35,000 premature deaths annually in Lagos, underscoring the urgent need for stronger emissions control measures and cleaner environmental practices.
In a goodwill message, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, minister of Environment, represented by Mrs. Adenaike Olunimpe Oludunni, federal controller of Environment in Lagos, commended Lagos State for pioneering the initiative, describing it as a significant contribution to Nigeria’s climate commitments.
He said the Registry aligns with the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and supports the Federal Government’s Energy Transition Plan, while reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to deeper collaboration with Lagos State on climate governance and environmental sustainability.
A recently released Henley Passport Index 2026, showed that Nigerian citizens can travel to at least 20 destinations outside the African continent where entry is allowed either visa-free, with a visa on arrival (VOA) at no extra cost, or via an e-visa.
This expanded access opens doors for Nigerian travellers to experience countries in the Caribbean, Asia, and beyond with greater ease.
Below is a comprehensive guide to countries outside Africa which Nigerian passport holders can visit without a traditional visa.
Visa-Free Countries outside Africa for Nigerian Passport Holders:
Barbados
Cambodia – Visa on arrival
Comoros Islands – Visa on arrival
Cook Islands
Dominica
Fiji
Haiti
Iran – Visa on arrival
Kiribati
Lebanon
Maldives – Visa on arrival
Micronesia
Montserrat
Niue – Visa on arrival
Palau Islands – Visa on arrival
Samoa – Visa on arrival
St. Kitts and Nevis
Timor-Leste – Visa on arrival
Tuvalu
Vanuatuul
Nigeria and Israel yesterday reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation in research, technology and innovation as both countries pledged to expand partnerships that will drive entrepreneurship, commercialise research and accelerate economic development.
The commitment was made at the closing ceremony and innovation showcase of the I-FAIR Cohort of the Israel-Nigeria Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (I-FAIR) in Abuja, where the Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, announced that funding had been secured for the fifth edition of the programme, scheduled to begin in October 2026.
Freeman described I-FAIR as a practical demonstration of the growing partnership between both countries, saying it had enabled Nigerian innovators to develop local solutions to national challenges through Israeli mentorship and expertise.
He said, “This programme has never been about bringing Israeli solutions to Nigeria. It’s been about helping brilliant Nigerian innovators develop Nigerian solutions to Nigerian challenges supported by Israeli experience, mentorship and innovation.”
The envoy noted that the initiative had brought together government, academia, investors, engineers and entrepreneurs to transform innovative ideas into businesses capable of creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.
Announcing the continuation of the programme, he said, “I am so proud to stand here today and announce that we have secured with our partners funding for I-FAIR 5 and I-FAIR 5 will be launching in October 2026.”
Freeman said the relationship between Nigeria and Israel had grown significantly over the past four and a half years through cooperation in innovation, agriculture, healthcare, education, water management and technology.
He expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between both countries would unlock greater opportunities for startups, research institutions and businesses.
According to him, “Israel brings experience and innovation, technology, agriculture, healthcare, cyber security, security and water management. Nigeria brings extraordinary talent, creativity, entrepreneurship and one of the most dynamic young populations anywhere in the world.”
He added, “I have no doubt that the best chapters of the relationship between Israel and Nigeria are still ahead of us.”
The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Architect Sonny Echono, also reaffirmed TETFund’s commitment to strengthening research and innovation through strategic partnerships with Israel and other stakeholders.
He said the I-FAIR programme aligned with Nigeria’s priorities in food security, agriculture, medicine, technology, clean energy and the circular economy, adding that TETFund would continue supporting initiatives that promote research commercialisation.
Echono stressed that collaboration between government, academia and industry remained critical to translating research findings into products and services.
He said, “It is this critical linkage, especially between science, engineering, technology and innovation, and the productive sector that is critical for translating R&D results and inventions into finished products for socio-economic benefits of our people.”
He disclosed that TETFund was working with partners to establish innovation facilities in about 60 tertiary institutions and had created a student innovation fund that would provide up to ₦50 million to students with commercially viable ideas.
The TETFund boss also announced plans for a National Research Fair later this year, where innovators would showcase products before policymakers, financial institutions and investors to attract funding and commercial partnerships.
Paying tribute to the outgoing Israeli ambassador, Echono described Freeman as a strong bridge between Nigeria and Israel.
He said, “Nigeria is grateful for your service. You have been a strong bridge between our two countries.”
Earlier, Head of Programmes at Innov8 Hub, Tolulope Aina, said sustainable economic development depended on building an innovation ecosystem that transforms ideas into successful businesses.
She noted that Innov8 Hub had supported more than 3,000 innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs, helping them convert research into products, startups and investment-ready ventures.
Aina said, “Nigeria does not suffer from a shortage of brilliant minds, what we need are stronger pathways that help those ideas become products, businesses, and opportunities that improve life.”
She thanked the Embassy of Israel and TETFund for their continued support in strengthening Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
According to her, “Building an innovation-driven economy requires collaboration, long-term commitment and shared purpose.”
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