Telecom
Nigeria’s $1 Trillion Economy Vision Hinges on Digital Backbone
Industry leaders at a summit on the implementation of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) framework in Nigeria have established a direct link between Nigeria’s $1 trillion economy ambition and the critical roles of digital infrastructure in the country.
L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Open Access Data Centre, Dr. Ayotunde Coker; Director, Legal (Global & Regional Business Affairs), Equinix, Abayomi Adebanjo; Chief Executive Officer, Rack Centre, Lars Johannisson; Ass. Business Editor and panel moderator, Yemi Adepetun; and Convener, Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (PIAFo), Omobayo Azeez, at the 7th PIAFo Summit on Critical National Information Infrastructure held in Lagos on Thursday.
During a panel session titled Appraisal of Data Centre Infrastructure Risks in the Scheme of CNII Implementation, they underscored the need for robust investments in data centers, broadband expansion, and cybersecurity.
Moderated by Yemi Adepetun, Assistant Business Editor at The Guardian Newspaper, the session featured insights from top industry executives, who stressed that Nigeria’s digital economy hinges on resilient infrastructure, energy integration, and strategic policy implementation.
Participants are the Chief Executive Officer, Open Access Data Centre (OADC), Dr. Ayotunde Coker; CEO of Rack Centre, Lars Johannisson; and Director of Legal (Global and Regional Business Affairs) at Equinix, Mr. Abayomi Adebanjo.
The panel session formed a part of the just concluded seventh edition of Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (PIAFo) with the theme: “Strengthening Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure through Proactive Implementation and Strategic Coordination.”
Strengthening Nigeria’s Digital Backbone
OADC boss, Coker, highlighted the fundamental role of digital infrastructure in driving economic growth. He pointed out that connectivity, data centers, and power must be aligned to ensure digital resilience.
Dr. Coker acknowledged Nigeria’s recent progress in restoring connectivity through increased subsea cable capacity, citing Meta’s new subsea cable project as a significant boost to global connectivity. However, he stressed the urgency of upgrading outdated subsea cables and fast-tracking infrastructure projects such as the Equiano and 2Africa cables.
With the government’s plan to expand fibre optic capacity by 90,000 kilometers, Dr. Coker emphasized the direct economic impact of broadband penetration, stating that a 10% increase could contribute 2.5% GDP growth. He also noted that while South Africa houses 50% of Africa’s data center infrastructure, Nigeria must scale up investments to bridge the gap and compete on a global level.
“The future of our digital economy depends on the seamless integration of connectivity, power, and data centers,” Dr. Coker asserted, calling for greater collaboration between private and public stakeholders.
Challenges in Execution and Investment
Mr. Johannisson echoed Dr. Coker’s sentiments, applauding Nigeria’s digital progress but warning that execution remains a major hurdle.
He highlighted asset protection policies as a key factor in attracting foreign investments.
Johannisson revealed that every megawatt of data center capacity requires an investment of approximately €12-15 million, with 70 megawatts currently in the pipeline.
He also stressed the importance of decentralizing data centers beyond Lagos to ensure broader access and affordability, especially with the pressing need for edge infrastructure which requires data centre spread across the country.
“If inefficiencies drive up costs, digital services will remain inaccessible to large segments of the population,” he warned.
Looking ahead, Johannisson emphasized the need to maintain cost-effective infrastructure investments to achieve Nigeria’s broadband penetration target of 80% by 2030.
Security, Power, and Government Support
Meanwhile, Abayomi Adebanjo, Director of Legal (Global and Regional Business Affairs) at Equinix, focused on the intersection of digital infrastructure and national security.
He underscored the vulnerability of critical networks to cyber threats and called for stricter security measures at both physical and digital levels.
Adebanjo also identified major gaps in Nigeria’s Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) framework, urging the government to take a more active role in enforcing protection programs.
He cited persistent issues such as fiber cable theft and legal obstacles in prosecuting offenders as deterrents to investment.
Recognising the significant power demands of data centers—comparable to large industrial operations such as the Dangote refinery—Adebanjo advocated for incentives such as designated special zones for data centers and priority access to electricity.
“Ireland is a prime example of how a stable regulatory and power supply environment can attract foreign direct investment,” Adebanjo noted, urging Nigerian policymakers to adopt similar strategies.
The Path Forward
The discussions at PIAFo underscored that Nigeria’s ambition to achieve a $1 trillion economy hinges on its ability to create a conducive environment for data centers and digital infrastructure growth.
In his opening remarks, Convener of PIAFo, Mr. Omobayo Azeez, stressed the need for concerted efforts among stakeholders to protect existing infrastructure and attract new investments to secure the digital future of the country.
Industry leaders agreed that increased broadband penetration, strategic investment, and supportive government policies are critical to bridging the digital divide and ensuring long-term sustainability.
With a growing commitment from both public and private sectors, Nigeria stands at a pivotal moment in its digital transformation journey—one that will define its economic trajectory for decades to come.
MENXTT TECH NG, a Lagos-based technology company, has launched an initiative to make quality Dell laptops more affordable for Nigerians through flexible payment plans and extended warranty support.
The company said the initiative was aimed at helping students, entrepreneurs, professionals and small businesses acquire reliable computing devices despite rising technology costs.
According to the company, customers can now purchase premium pre-owned Dell Latitude, Dell Precision and Dell Inspiron laptops at competitive prices, with selected models available under staggered payment arrangements.
The laptops, it said, are designed to meet the needs of users ranging from students and office workers to architects, engineers, software developers, graphic designers and video editors.
Speaking on the initiative, the Co-Founder of MENXTT TECH NG, Mr Anthony Emeka Nwosu, said access to quality technology should not be limited by financial constraints.
“A laptop is no longer a luxury; it is an essential tool for education, business and career development.
“Unfortunately, many people are forced to settle for unreliable devices because of the high cost of new laptops.
“At MENXTT TECH NG, we want to bridge that gap by providing durable Dell business laptops at affordable prices, backed by a full one-year warranty and flexible payment plans.
“We want every student, entrepreneur, freelancer and business owner to have access to technology that helps them succeed,” he said.
Nwosu explained that every laptop undergoes comprehensive testing before delivery and comes with a one-year warranty, an original charger, a complimentary laptop bag, Windows 11 operating system and Microsoft Office Suite pre-installed.
He added that the company, an authorised Bitdefender Antivirus reseller in Nigeria, also installs genuine Bitdefender security software on every system to protect customers against cyber threats.
According to him, customers requiring additional productivity tools can also have licensed Foxit PDF software installed on their devices.
Nwosu said the flexible payment option was introduced in response to prevailing economic realities, enabling customers to spread payments over an agreed period.
He noted that the arrangement would make it easier for students, startups and growing businesses to acquire quality computers without placing excessive pressure on their finances.
Beyond laptop sales, the company provides information technology consultancy, computer repairs, software licensing, cybersecurity solutions and digital transformation services to organisations across Nigeria.
He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital economy by making dependable computing devices and enterprise technology solutions more accessible to individuals and businesses.
According to him, the initiative reflects MENXTT TECH NG’s vision of combining affordability, quality products and professional after-sales support to help more Nigerians participate in the country’s expanding digital ecosystem. (NAN)
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called for stronger collaboration among government, industry, academia and technology professionals to accelerate digital innovation and drive inclusive economic growth in Nigeria.
Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director, Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, representing the Director General of NITDA, delivers a goodwill message at the 20th International Conference on Technology and Computing (RISE 2026) in Jos, reaffirming the Agency’s commitment to fostering digital innovation, strategic collaboration, and a technology-driven future for Nigeria.
The agency made the call at the 20th Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) International Conference 2026, held in Jos, Plateau State, where stakeholders examined strategies for leveraging emerging technologies to strengthen national development.
Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa, the agency’s Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnerships, Dr Aristotle Onumo, said Nigeria’s digital transformation would depend on sustained investment in innovation, digital skills, research and strategic partnerships.
According to him, collaboration across the public and private sectors is essential to translate emerging technologies into practical solutions capable of improving governance, creating jobs and enhancing the country’s global competitiveness.
Onumo said NITDA remained committed to implementing its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan through initiatives that promote digital literacy, research and development, innovation ecosystems, cyber sovereignty and emerging technologies.
He added that the agency was expanding opportunities for innovators, entrepreneurs and startups through platforms designed to encourage collaboration, investment and technology-driven enterprise.
“We are transforming Digital Nigeria into the nation’s foremost innovation platform where policymakers, investors, startups, researchers and technology companies can collaborate to accelerate economic growth and digital transformation,” he said.
He urged innovators, startup founders and technology professionals to participate actively in the forthcoming Builders Summit by showcasing indigenous solutions capable of addressing Nigeria’s development challenges.
Declaring the conference open, the Governor of Plateau State, Mr Caleb Mutfwang, described digital technology as a critical driver of governance and economic development.
Mutfwang said his administration had adopted digital solutions to improve public service delivery, modernise government operations and enhance internally generated revenue.
He also identified technology as a key enabler for agricultural transformation, increased productivity and improved food security, urging participants to ensure that deliberations at the conference translate into practical outcomes for national development.
Earlier, the President of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Prof. Muhammad Sirajo, said the conference was organised to strengthen collaboration among policymakers, researchers, regulators, technology professionals and industry leaders.
Sirajo said the conference, with the theme “Harnessing Digital Innovation and Emerging Technologies for Inclusive Growth and Economic Renaissance (RISE 2026),” focused on exploring how innovation could accelerate Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
He identified artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, cybersecurity and robotics as among the technologies shaping the future of economies across the world.
According to him, Nigeria’s youthful population and expanding digital ecosystem provide a strong foundation for building a globally competitive economy through sustained investment in digital infrastructure, innovation and skills development.
The conference attracted government officials, regulators, academics, development partners, technology professionals and private-sector stakeholders to deliberate on policies and innovations aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s digital transformation and inclusive economic renaissance.
Telecom
Hon. Minister Dr. Kingsley T. Udeh and ASUS To Unveil First of a Kind Flagship Store in West Africa
In a landmark moment for Nigeria’s technology retail sector, the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh SAN, will on Monday, August 3rd, commission a landmark ASUS Flagship Store in partnership with Nigeria’s leading e-commerce group Konga. The state-of-the-art facility is widely regarded as the first initiative of its kind in West Africa.
The commissioning will witness the visit of senior executives from the world-renowned technology brand to Nigeria, including EMEA General Manager, Mr. Aaron Tsai, alongside other. One of the purposes of their visit is to reinforce the strategic partnership with Konga and solidify the collaboration between both organisations, further demonstrating ASUS’ commitment to the Nigerian market.
The event is expected to also bring together key stakeholders from government, the technology industry, business community, and the media for what promises to be a defining moment in the evolution of technology retail in the region.
The development comes as Konga continues to accelerate its strategic partnerships with some of the world’s leading technology brands.
For years, Nigerian consumers have demanded more than just access to genuine technology products. They have increasingly sought immersive experiences, expert guidance, after-sales support, and greater confidence when making technology investments. The next chapter in this journey appears to address many of these expectations in a bold and innovative way.
The forthcoming announcement is expected to bring together global innovation in a manner that reflects the changing realities of today’s technology consumer. It also reinforces the growing confidence that leading international technology companies continue to place in Nigeria as one of Africa’s most strategic digital markets.
Industry analysts note that partnerships of this nature are becoming increasingly important as consumers place greater emphasis on authenticity, hands-on product experiences, technical support, and trusted purchase channels. Beyond selling devices, the future of technology retail lies in building complete customer experiences.
As anticipation builds for Monday, one thing is certain: the ASUS-Konga partnership promises to set new standards for tech retail in West Africa, elevating customer experience and reinforcing Nigeria’s digital transformation narrative.
EFCC Arraigns 4 over Alleged $5.3m Fraud Scheme
CBN Orders N19Bn Refunds to Customers as Complaints Rise
Access Bank Debunks Shutdown Report, Vows Action against Perpetrators
Oye, AERE Raises Alarm as 8m MSMEs Collapse in 18 Months
Kaspersky Uncovers Cyber Threats Defining the First Half of 2026 in Nigeria, Others
NRC, Ponzi Scheme Collapses Resulting Loss of Billions of Naira
EFCC Busts NIS Visa Overstay Racket, Uncovers N700m in an Account
From Scarcity to Scale: What Africa Can Learn from India’s Agricultural Transformation
Tokenization, Blockchain Technology will Transform Financial Institutions – IMF
BON Establishes Six Ad Hoc Committees to Modernize Broadcasting
Telecom2 days agoFact-Check: Elon Musk’s “Tesla Pi Phone” is Internet Rumor
E-Financial2 days agoMalpass, Ex World Bank Chief Raises Alarm over Nigeria’s Secretive Debt Structures
Telecom2 days agoHow and Why Apps Deplete Data – ALTON
News2 days agoCIBN, ACAMB Push for Financial Inclusion, Women Empowerment
E-Financial2 days agoS&P Global Acquires Agusto & Co. to Strengthen Credit Ratings Across Africa
Telecom2 days agoGalaxy Backbone Soft Launches Government Service Portal to Simplify Access to Public Services
E-Business2 days agoNDPC Directs DCPMIs to Register with Agency or Face Legal Consequences
Broadcasting2 days agoAfrica Prudential Posts N1.59bn Profit in H1 2026, Reaffirms Digital Growth Strategy