Government says digital infrastructure push will position Nigeria as Africa’s hub for cloud, AI and digital services….
The Federal Government is targeting $750 million in private sector investment in Nigeria’s cloud and data infrastructure over the next two years as part of a broader push to strengthen the country’s digital economy.
The government is also set to begin the rollout of a 90,000-kilometre fibre-optic network designed to extend high-speed connectivity to states, local government areas and wards across the country.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, disclosed the plans on Monday at the GITEX 2026 Government Leadership and AI Summit in Abuja.
Akume, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Political and Economic Affairs Office, Bekearedebo Warrens, said the initiatives were central to President Bola Tinubu’s ambition of repositioning Nigeria from a technology-consuming nation into a country capable of developing and exporting digital products and services.
According to him, the newly introduced National Digital Cloud Policy is expected to attract substantial private capital into the country’s cloud computing and data infrastructure over the next 24 months.
“The newly unveiled National Digital Cloud Policy targets an ambitious $750m in private investment in Nigeria’s cloud and data infrastructure within 24 months. This policy will position Nigeria as a competitive location for cloud and data services, not just for ourselves, but for the wider West African and African markets.
Akume said the digital push was coming at a critical point in Nigeria’s technological development, with the country seeking to establish itself as a producer and exporter of technology rather than remaining largely dependent on imported digital solutions.
“Gitex Nigeria returns at a pivotal moment in our nation’s history. The theme for this year’s conference, ‘Beyond Connectivity: The Bridge to Sovereign AI and Innovation,’ captures the very essence of where Nigeria is headed—not merely as a consumer of technology, but as a builder, producer, and exporter of digital solutions and artificial intelligence.”
FG plans nationwide fibre expansion
The government’s cloud investment strategy is being matched with a major expansion of the country’s telecommunications infrastructure.
Akume said the administration was preparing to commence what he described as one of Nigeria’s most ambitious digital infrastructure projects, involving the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cables across the country.
“Under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, we are set to commence the rollout of a 90,000 km fibre optic network that will reach every state, local government, and ward in the country. This is complemented by the deployment of approximately 3,700 telecommunications towers to connect over 20 million Nigerians in underserved communities.”
The planned infrastructure is expected to improve broadband access and extend reliable digital connectivity to communities that remain underserved by existing telecommunications infrastructure.
The government believes wider access to broadband will also create the foundation for the expansion of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital businesses and other technology-driven services.
FG links digital expansion to skills development
Beyond physical infrastructure, the government said it was also investing in the human capital and regulatory systems required to support the country’s digital transformation.
Akume highlighted the 3 Million Technical Talent initiative, popularly known as 3MTT, as one of the programmes being used to build Nigeria’s technology workforce.
He said the programme had recorded 1.87 million registrations across all 774 local government areas, with more than 125,000 Nigerians already trained in areas including cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and software engineering.
“Since its inception, the 3MTT programme has recorded 1.87 million registrations across all 774 local government areas, with over 125,000 Nigerians trained in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and software engineering. We are building a generation equipped to transform us from a nation of consumers to a nation of creators.”
The SGF also pointed to recent legal reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s control over its digital identity and data.
He said President Tinubu’s assent to the NIMC Act 2026 had expanded the role of the National Identity Management Commission and created what he described as a stronger legal foundation for data sovereignty.
“President Tinubu’s swift assent to the NIMC Act 2026 has transformed the National Identity Management Commission from a data-based management agency into Nigeria’s foundational digital authority. This new law provides a robust legal framework for identity management, reinforcing our pursuit of data sovereignty.
Government seeks stronger control of national digital assets
The Federal Government also reiterated its support for Galaxy Backbone Limited as the key operational agency responsible for federal telecommunications infrastructure and the protection of national digital assets.
Akume urged international investors, technology companies, innovators and other private sector players participating in GITEX 2026 to move beyond discussions and establish practical partnerships capable of expanding Africa’s participation in the global artificial intelligence economy.
He said such collaboration would be critical if Africa is to take advantage of the projected $1 trillion AI-driven market expected by 2035.
NITDA: Nigeria must own its AI
The call for greater digital independence was reinforced by the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Abdullahi.
Abdullahi said Nigeria needed to develop greater sovereign control over its artificial intelligence ecosystem, warning against excessive dependence on AI systems developed and trained in other countries.
He argued that artificial intelligence should be treated as a strategic national asset capable of influencing economic development, security and public administration.
“To me, AI is not just another piece of technology. It is a strategic infrastructure that can help nations accelerate growth. A tool that can help us build intelligence about our economy, our citizens, our security, our everything is not something we can play with. So we need to start thinking about how we can put the AI we are building under our sovereign control.
“We cannot rely on AI built in other jurisdictions; we need to own our own AI. We used to say AI is biased, but AI is not biased—it is the data we train the AI with that is biased. So if we really need an AI that will serve us, we need to train the AI with our data,” he said.
The government’s latest plans place cloud infrastructure, broadband connectivity, digital skills and artificial intelligence at the centre of its strategy to build a more self-reliant technology ecosystem.
If implemented as planned, the combination of the $750 million private investment target, nationwide fibre expansion, additional telecommunications infrastructure and increased investment in digital skills could significantly expand Nigeria’s capacity to host data, develop locally relevant AI systems and compete for a larger share of Africa’s fast-growing digital economy.
