By Benson Daniel
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to attract $750 million in private sector investment into Nigeria’s cloud and data infrastructure over the next 24 months as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s digital economy.
The government also plans to commence the rollout of a 90,000 kilometre nationwide fibre optic network designed to extend broadband connectivity to every state, local government area and ward across the country.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, disclosed the plans at the GITEX 2026 Government Leadership and AI Summit, where he outlined the administration’s strategy to position Nigeria as a producer and exporter of digital solutions rather than a consumer of technology.
According to him, the newly unveiled National Digital Cloud Policy is targeting $750 million in private investment in Nigeria’s cloud and data infrastructure within two years.
The policy is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s position as a competitive hub for cloud and data services, serving the domestic market while also providing opportunities to supply digital services to other countries across West Africa and the wider African market.
The government’s fibre expansion plan is expected to significantly improve broadband access and address connectivity gaps that continue to limit digital participation in underserved communities.
The 90,000 kilometre fibre network will be complemented by the deployment of approximately 3,700 telecommunications towers, with the government targeting more than 20 million Nigerians currently living in underserved communities.
The initiative is expected to support businesses, government agencies, educational institutions and households by improving access to reliable and high speed internet services.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the government is also placing emphasis on developing the human capital required to sustain the country’s digital transformation.
The administration’s 3 Million Technical Talent initiative has recorded 1.87 million registrations across all 774 local government areas, while more than 125,000 Nigerians have reportedly received training in areas including cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and software engineering.
The government is also pursuing legal and institutional reforms aimed at strengthening data sovereignty and protecting Nigeria’s digital assets.
Akume said the administration would continue supporting Galaxy Backbone as the main operational agency responsible for driving federal telecommunications infrastructure and safeguarding critical national digital assets.
The Federal Government is also seeking greater participation from international investors, technology companies and private sector operators as Nigeria attempts to take advantage of the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
The government believes stronger cloud infrastructure, expanded broadband connectivity and a larger pool of digitally skilled workers will create opportunities for technology businesses, improve public service delivery and support innovation across different sectors of the economy.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Abdullahi, stressed the need for Nigeria to achieve greater control over its artificial intelligence ecosystem.
He argued that Nigeria should develop AI systems using locally generated data to ensure that emerging technologies are suited to the country’s economic, social and security needs.
The Federal Government’s latest initiatives therefore place cloud computing, fibre connectivity, artificial intelligence, digital skills and data sovereignty at the centre of its broader strategy to transform Nigeria into a competitive digital economy
Leave a comment