In a strategic move to advance national security through innovation and digital infrastructure, Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB), Nigeria’s leading provider of ICT infrastructure and digital services, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) to support the development and integration of Smart Police Stations across the country.

The MOU signing ceremony, which took place at Galaxy Backbone’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja, underscores the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Digital Transformation Agenda and the commitment of both institutions to foster a more secure, connected, and technologically empowered Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, the Managing Director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone, emphasized the importance of this collaboration in strengthening digital-led policing.

“Today’s agreement represents more than a partnership—it reflects a shared vision for a smarter, more resilient, and inclusive Nigeria. Our collaboration with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund brings cutting-edge technology into the heart of Nigeria’s security architecture through the deployment of Smart Police Stations. These initiatives reflect our firm commitment to innovation, trust, and nation-building,” he said.

Under the terms of the agreement, GBB will provide high-speed fibre connectivity, cloud platforms, and secure digital infrastructure to support the deployment of Smart Police Stations in key locations nationwide.

These stations will be equipped with advanced ICT tools to enhance real-time communication, surveillance, data sharing, and operational efficiency within the Nigeria Police Force.

The partnership is expected to significantly improve public safety outcomes by enabling more data-driven decision-making, improved incident response times, and greater transparency in law enforcement.

This initiative reinforces Galaxy Backbone’s strategic role as the digital backbone of government operations—enabling secure, interoperable platforms that support innovation, governance, and national development. The agreement with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund is a bold step toward building a more secure and technologically advanced Nigeria.

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector have been tasked to actively engage in the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) review process.

This call was made by Dr. Jimson Olufuye, Principal Consultant at Kontemporary Konsulting Ltd and Chairman of the 2025 Nigeria DigitalSENSE Africa Forum on Internet Governance for Development.

The call was made during the forum held at the Welcome Centre Hotels, MM International Airport Road, Lagos, on Thursday, June 19. The Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum series, hosted by the internet corporation for assigned names and numbers (ICANN) certified At-Large Structure (ALS), DigitalSENSE Africa, under the Africa Regional At-Large Organization (AFRALO), is powered by ITREALMS Media.

The WSIS review aims to assess progress made since the summit’s initial outcomes in 2003 and 2005, focusing on key areas such as digital divides, internet governance, and sustainable development.

Olufuye also encouraged Nigeria’s ICT stakeholders to participate in the review process, sharing their experiences and insights to shape the country’s digital future.

By engaging in the WSIS review process, Olufuye who is member of the United Nations’ Multistakeholder Advisory Group, said, Nigeria’s ICT stakeholders could contribute to shaping the country’s digital landscape and ensuring that the benefits of technology are equitably distributed.

The stakeholders have also been urged to explore opportunities for collaboration and partnership to drive technological development and economic growth.

The WSIS review process, he underscored, is expected to culminate in future high-level events, where world leaders and ICT stakeholders will gather to review progress and outline future directions.

This event will provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss key issues, such as digital divide, Internet Governance, cyber security among others.

In addition to fostering the Sustainable Development by leveraging digital technologies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

He recalls that some countries have already conducted WSIS reviews, providing valuable lessons and insights for Nigeria.

In 2015, he recalled that there was a WSIS+10 Review by the UN General Assembly to conduct a ten-year review of the WSIS outcomes, which reaffirmed the WSIS principles and called for a further review by the Assembly in 2025, hence countries like Nigeria should take the review seriously.

Olufuye further pointed out that by participating in the WSIS review process, Nigeria’s ICT stakeholders could help shape the country’s digital future and ensure that the benefits of technology are equitably distributed.

Welcoming participants earlier, the Lead Consulting Strategist, DigitalSENSE Africa and Group of ITREALMS Media group, Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke noted that the 16th annual forum began since 2009, which has continued to rally Internet stakeholders to address challenges in Internet Governance, security, and socio-economic impact, focusing on students, youth, women, and community-based organizations.

Focus, this year, he said, was on the Global Digital Compact (GDC), a globally significant UN initiative that demands global effort and urged Nigeria to take lead in this transformation, at least from the African continent.

“The GDC calls us to commit to bridging digital divides, inclusive digital economy, open, safe, and secure digital space; international data governance and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to name a few,” he said.

Nweke also appreciated participation of esteemed speakers, including Dr. Jimson Olufuye, Mr. Muhammed Rudman, Mr. Gbenga Sesan and Mrs. Tinuade Oguntuyi, among others.

NDSF 2025, he said, was hosted in partnership with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) via the African At-Large Regional Organisation (AFRALO), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), Internet Society Nigeria chapter, NLNG, NNPCL, Digital Realty, and Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), among others.

In a landmark move towards implementing the Presidential priority area of reforming the economy for sustained inclusive growth and accelerating diversification through industrialisation and digitisation by strengthening Nigeria’s innovation and technology ecosystem, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, has announced the commencement of $11.2 million innovation hub in Abuja, a transformative initiative in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The partnership, which is in collaboration with the Chief Consultant, Consortium of Oriental Consultants Global Co. Ltd., Intem Consulting Inc., and Yachiyo Engineering Co. Ltd., was formalised with the signing of an agreement for the implementation of the Startup Hub Project.

The project, backed by a $11.2 million grant from JICA, is designed to significantly boost Nigeria’s innovation landscape by providing vital infrastructure and support for startups and serving as a centre for creativity, research, and technological development.

Earlier this year, the Federal Government of Nigeria entered into a $30 million grant agreement with JICA for the establishment of Startup Hubs in Abuja.

The project consists of two major components: the first, a $9.9 million initiative to be implemented by NITDA, focuses on the development of a dedicated Startup Hub; the second, valued at $21 million and to be executed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), aims to create a supportive environment for the growth of social startups across the country.

In his remark, Inuwa revealed that the project began with the launch of the iHatch, an initiative designed to co-train and incubate startups, supported with seed funding by JICA.

“To strengthen this relationship, JICA decided to give us a grant to build an innovation hub, so that after training the startups, they can have access to a makerspace where they can turn their ideas into products and services, JICA is giving us a grant worth of $11.2 million to build this innovation hub,” he stated.

Inuwa also lauded the collaborative efforts aimed at deepening the relationship between the Nigerian and Japanese technology ecosystems.

He highlighted the importance of ongoing exchange programmes, which not only foster knowledge sharing and skills transfer but also open new avenues for collaboration between innovators in both countries.

These initiatives, he noted, are instrumental to creating a more enabling environment for Nigerian startups to grow into sustainable, innovation-driven enterprises capable of competing on a global scale.

“It’s about building the entire ecosystem; we are not just training startups, we are also giving them the tools, the environment, and the financing they need to thrive,” he averred.

The DG disclosed that the consultants have arrived and are set to begin the preliminary design work, marking the official commencement of the project’s implementation phase.

Beyond infrastructure, the hub is envisioned as a catalyst for economic growth by nurturing homegrown talent and promoting entrepreneurship.

It will serve as a critical bridge between training and commercialisation, offering a conducive environment for startups to ideate, experiment, and scale their businesses.

By equipping innovators with the resources that they need to thrive, such as mentorship, incubation support, and access to seed funding, the project aims to strengthen Nigeria’s position as a leading tech and innovation hub in Africa.