General News
Keeping Internet Traffic Local Can Improve Nigeria’s Cyber Security-Mohammed Rudman
By chukwuemeka fred agbata
All serious digitally-driven economies invest heavily in infrastructure and one critical aspect is what is known as an Internet Exchange Point, IXP, which is simply a physical infrastructure that allows the several internet provider, ISP’s and network operators to exchange traffic between their networks.
Nigeria also owns one, that is tasked with facilitating internet operations, localising traffic as well as reducing local internet routing costs.
I recently had a chat with Mohammed Rudman, CEO, Internet eXchange Point of Nigeria and he was able to break down some of the complex, behind the scene activities that make the internet tick.
Mohammed stated that what happens when you visit a website from your device is that you put a name into the browser of your computer and there is a resolver that actually talks to what is called a DNS server that does the translation. “It is a series of referrals that happens from your computer to the service provider’s computers, to the entire internet computers, to get you an answer”, he stressed.
Mohammed further explained that behind the website you are browsing, there is what is called an IP Address. “Each computer in the world and each website in the world, has what is called an IP Address. It is a number that is hidden”, he stated. “Nigerian networks are eyeball content heavy”, he opined.
He explained that there are two kinds of networks on the internet. The first one is what he calls the ‘eyeball network’. These are people trying to browse or networks that have people behind them, such as MTN, Airtel, etc. The second is content networks that have the content, such as Google, yahoo, Facebook, etc. “Nigerian networks are eyeball content heavy”, he opined.
On why it is important to keep the traffic search on the internet local, Mohammed gave 5 good reasons why this should be so. The first benefit is that Nigeria will reduce the capital flight incurred in hosting in other countries, which is in US Dollars. The second benefit is that, the reduction is capital flight will also lead to reduction in latency and cost reduction as well as higher quality of service.
The third advantage of hosting locally to keep the traffic local, is that it further strengthens the cyber security of the country, as passing of data through international borders is now sidetracked. The fourth advantage, according to Mohammed, is business continuity. He stated that we depend on submarine cables for hosting internationally. If a natural disaster occurs, such as a Tsunami, and damages these submarine cables, this will definitely mean a disruption in the local individual and business communication flow.
The fifth benefit of hosting the internet traffic search locally, is that we will gain and develop the technical skills to manage data centers to host ourselves instead of depending on other countries that host. This also, inadvertently, means the creation of more jobs for Nigerian.
Mohammed is of the view that we are ready to keep the traffic locally by hosting here in Nigeria, as the data centers currently have adequate infrastructure on ground to support the weight. “Most of them also have the potentials to expand their facilities”, he observed.
Mohammed also explained what an Internet Exchange Point is and does. “An Internet Exchange Point, is a physical infrastructure, where all internet providers, educational institutions and any other organisations that are IP-centric that they usually, physically get connected to, so that they can exchange their traffic locally”, he stressed. He also said that a country can have as many exchange points as possible, but it has to be in a community where not less than 3 service providers are available, because they must exchange traffic.
On the fact that Nigeria is not playing big in content and what we can do to rectify this, Mohammed is of the view that we need to improve on our advocacy.
He stated that we cannot be content consumers alone, but we must also be content creators too.
He stated that the content that Nigerians generate are hosted outside Nigeria and in his opinion, government and other stakeholders should evolve policies that will change the ‘center of gravity of content on the internet’ from South Africa to Nigeria.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has explained why kidnappers and terrorists are not always traceable despite the country’s expanding digital identity infrastructure.
NIMC explanation pointed to a simple but significant gap in the system.
Abisoye Coker-Odusote, director-general of the agency said that: “A lot of the time, you find out the kidnappers use the phones of the people they have abducted, which means how do you trace them because they are not using their own phones?” she said.
Coker-Odusote spoke during an appearance on Channels Television, where she was asked to explain why criminals remain difficult to trace despite the mandatory NIN-SIM linkage policy.
She said criminals frequently frustrate investigations by using mobile phones belonging to their victims, instead of their own registered lines.
“We already know the NIN is the foundational identity for the security architecture, but a lot of the time, you find out the kidnappers use the phones of the people they have abducted. Which means, how do you trace them because they are not using their own phones?” she said.
She also suggested that some criminal elements involved in kidnapping operations may not even be captured in Nigeria’s identity database.
“There is a theory that it may be possible that these kidnappers are not Nigerians and are brought into the country 48 or 72 hours before a kidnapping takes place specifically for that purpose. I’m not insinuating anything, but if that were the case, they naturally would not be captured in our database,” she added.
The comments have revived questions about whether expectations placed on the NIN-SIM linkage have exceeded what the system was designed to deliver.
The NIN-SIM linkage exercise was introduced by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in collaboration with NIMC to strengthen identity management, eliminate anonymous SIM ownership and support national security.
Over the years, the exercise resulted in millions of subscribers linking their SIM cards with their National Identification Numbers, while telecom operators also deactivated millions of lines that failed to comply with regulatory directives.
Earlier, the NCC maintained that the policy was aimed at improving the integrity of Nigeria’s SIM registration database, strengthening identity verification and supporting security agencies in criminal investigations.
The regulator also described the exercise as an important component of the country’s digital economy and national security framework.
Telecommunications operators have consistently maintained that while they play a critical role in implementing the NIN-SIM linkage policy, they are not responsible for tracking criminals.
Quest Merchant Bank recently hosted the second edition of the Great Place to Work® Nigeria Study Mission, reaffirming its commitment to fostering a high-performance workplace culture and advancing people-centric leadership practices.
The Study Mission serves as a collaborative learning platform that brings together Great Place to Work® Certified organizations to exchange insights, share best practices, and strengthen workplace cultures.
The event welcomed Human Resources leaders and representatives from FITC, Princeps Credit Systems, Tonic Technologies and Esentry Limited for an engaging and insightful session focused on building thriving workplace cultures, promoting continuous learning, and advancing employee-centric practices that drive organizational success.
Speaking at the event, Tolulope Dayo-Peters, Head of People Management, emphasized the importance of continuous learning and collaboration in building sustainable workplace cultures.
“We are delighted to host the second edition of the Great Place to Work® Nigeria Study Mission. At Quest Merchant Bank, we believe building a great workplace is an ongoing journey rooted in trust, purposeful leadership, and a genuine commitment to our people.
“We are pleased to share the practices that have shaped our culture and look forward to more opportunities to learn and collaborate with like-minded organizations.”
Also speaking at the event, Afolabi Olorode, Acting Managing Director/CEO, Quest Merchant Bank Limited, highlighted the critical role workplace culture plays in driving long-term business success.
“We recognize that a strong workplace culture is fundamental to sustainable business success. Creating an environment where our people are empowered to grow, innovate, and perform at their best enables us to consistently deliver value to our clients and stakeholders. We are proud to support initiatives like the Great Place to Work® Nigeria Study Mission that encourage organizations to learn from one another and collectively raise the standard of workplace excellence in Nigeria.”
The Study Mission reinforced the importance of collaboration among organizations committed to creating exceptional employee experiences.
By providing a platform for open dialogue, peer learning, and the exchange of practical ideas, the initiative enabled participants to explore innovative approaches to employee engagement, organizational culture, leadership development, and talent management while strengthening a growing community of employers dedicated to workplace excellence.
Hosting the Great Place to Work® Nigeria Study Mission further strengthens Quest Merchant Bank’s position as a thought leader in workplace culture and talent management.
It also enhances the Bank’s employer brand and demonstrates its unwavering commitment to creating an environment where employees can grow, innovate, and achieve their full potential.
Quest Merchant Bank remains committed to championing initiatives that promote learning, innovation, and people-centric leadership. Through strategic partnerships and knowledge-sharing platforms such as the Great Place to Work® Nigeria Study Mission, the Bank continues to contribute to the advancement of exceptional workplace cultures and the future of work across Nigeria’s corporate landscape.
Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) has warned of possible floods in parts of Adamawa, Bauchi, Edo, Imo, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Kaduna, Plateau, Niger, Benue, and Borno states within the next seven days.
According to information posted on NIHSA X handle, the Agency announced medium flood advisory in force for the next 7 days across Adamawa, Bauchi, and 11 other States.
“Localised inundation is forecast along the main channel; named communities below sit on the projected footprint. Stations: Saminara on the Karam river, Waya Dam Site on the Waya river, Amber on the Amber river.
“Adamawa; Lemsa, Lamurde, Numan Exposure: 147 comm. 49 schis 40 hith 6 mkts17 relig. Bauchi-Bauchi, Ningi, Shira. Exposure: 4 comm. Kaduna; Chikun, Giwa, Igabi, Jaba, Jema’a, Kachia, Kaura, Kauru, +6 more. Exposure: 1 comm.
“Borno-Gubio, Mobbar. Exposure: 680 comm. 8 schls 6 hith 5 mkts 21 relig. Edo-Akoko-Ed, EtsakoEa, EtsakoWe, Ikpoba-Okha, Orhionmw, OviaNort, OviaSo.. Exposure: 3 comm.
“Imo-Aboh-Mba, Oguta, Ohaji/Eg, Okigwe, Owerri North, Owerri West. Exposure: 3 comm. 7 more states affected and severity LGAs”.
NIHSA advised people in the affected areas to “do NOT cross flooded roads, bridges, or fast-moving water on foot or by vehicle.
“Clear drainage channels and river-mouth blockages; avoid building or living in the floodplain and move people, livestock and valuables from the floodplain to pre-identified higher ground,” NIHSA stated.
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