Nigeria shouldn’t just use artificial intelligence built by other countries — it should help build it. That was the message from Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone Limited, on Monday in Abuja.
Speaking at a media briefing to kick off the organisation's 20th anniversary, Adeyanju said the future of national competitiveness depends on digital capabilities. He asked a direct question: “Will Nigeria merely consume these innovations? Or will Nigeria actively shape how they transform our nation?”
His answer: “We choose to lead. We choose to innovate. We choose to collaborate and we choose to build.”
Galaxy Backbone was set up in 2006 by the Federal Government to provide shared digital infrastructure for government agencies. The idea was to cut duplication, improve efficiency, and push Nigeria's digital development. Twenty years on, the organisation says it now runs fibre networks across nearly 30 states, connecting Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
It also operates Uptime-certified Tier III and Tier IV data centres and a platform called One Government Cloud. These host critical government systems and help keep Nigeria's data within the country — what experts call data sovereignty.
Adeyanju listed some of the platforms Galaxy Backbone has delivered. They include GovMail, a homegrown official government email system, collaboration tools, hosting services, and connectivity solutions. Thousands of public servants and hundreds of institutions use them daily.
But he argued that the organisation's worth shouldn't be measured by infrastructure alone. “The true value of Galaxy Backbone is measured by impact — faster government services, improved collaboration between institutions, enhanced transparency and accountability, stronger cybersecurity and digital trust, better access to information and ultimately improved service delivery to citizens,” he said.
Looking forward, Adeyanju identified artificial intelligence, cloud computing, automation, data analytics, and cybersecurity as the technologies that will shape the next phase of global competition. He said Galaxy Backbone's next chapter will focus on making the most of existing infrastructure, expanding digital access, supporting state and local governments and businesses, and creating more opportunities for Nigerians to join the digital economy.
As part of the anniversary, the organisation will hold its first Digital Transformation Summit. The theme is “Powering Nigeria's Digital Future.” It will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, academics, tech companies, development partners, and innovators to talk about how digital tools can improve governance, speed up economic growth, and make public services better.
Adeyanju also announced plans to unveil a new corporate identity. He said it reflects how Galaxy Backbone has grown from a government ICT infrastructure provider into a broader digital transformation enabler.
“Twenty years ago, Galaxy Backbone was founded on a vision. Today, that vision is alive and stronger than ever,” he said. “The first twenty years were remarkable. The next twenty years will be transformational.”