Delivering a goodwill message, Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, the managing director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone described trust as the foundation of Nigeria’s digital future, especially as emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, IoT, and Big Data continue to transform the nation’s digital landscape.

“At Galaxy Backbone, we view trust as our most vital product. Every fibre we lay, every data centre we operate, and every cloud service we enable is built on the promise of security, integrity, and confidentiality,” he stated.

He emphasized that ethics must guide technological deployment and called for privacy and data protection to be embedded by design in digital solutions.

He also reaffirmed Galaxy Backbone’s partnership with the NDPC, positioning the company as a strategic ally providing the secure and resilient infrastructure needed for a robust national data protection ecosystem.

Galaxy Backbone commended the NDPC for its leadership in advancing critical conversations around privacy and urged stakeholders to strengthen collaboration toward building a digital Nigeria where citizens can confidently engage with technology, assured that their data is protected.

This strategy is designed to enhance digital service delivery, strengthen connectivity, and support Nigeria’s vision of a fully integrated digital economy.

Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, the managing director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone, led the team to develop the plan in collaboration with key stakeholders, the the strategy focuses on five core pillars that will drive efficiency, innovation, and sustainability in Nigeria’s digital landscape.

A statement signed by Mr. Chidi Okpala, head, Corporate Communications, shows the first focuses on building a Resilient Digital Infrastructure; ensuring that government and businesses have access to secure, high-speed, and scalable digital platforms. By building and maintaining a robust digital backbone, GBB aims to support the nation’s growing demand for seamless connectivity and data security.

The second pillar, Integrated Digital Ecosystems; fosters collaboration between government, businesses, and local communities, creating a more connected Nigeria. Through this initiative, GBB seeks to break silos and establish a unified digital experience that enhances communication, innovation, and service delivery.

To meet the evolving demands of governance and business, the strategy prioritizes Innovative Service Delivery; ensuring that digital solutions are tailored to address economic, social, and administrative needs.

By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, GBB is committed to driving efficiency, economic growth, and improved public service delivery.

Now, recognizing the critical role of trust in the digital era, the fourth pillar of the strategy places a strong emphasis on Digital Leadership & Trust. GBB is dedicated to fostering a culture of cybersecurity, transparency, and accountability, ensuring that Nigeria’s digital infrastructure is not only efficient but also secure and reliable.

To sustain long-term impact, the fifth pillar, Financial Sustainability; remains a key priority. By investing in innovative technologies and expanding its digital services, GBB aims to drive revenue growth while ensuring affordability and accessibility for all users.

At its core, this strategic roadmap is designed to enhance government efficiency, boost economic development, and improve the overall digital experience for Nigerians.

So, as part of its commitment to achieving these goals, GBB is actively engaging with government agencies, private sector players, and international and local partners to foster collaboration and accelerate implementation. Through strategic partnerships, the organization is poised to lead Nigeria into a new era of digital excellence, ensuring that businesses and government institutions alike are equipped for the future.

Galaxy Backbone, through its IDTS plan, remains steadfast in its mission to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation through world-class infrastructure, secure connectivity, and innovative solutions that power progress.

The session, moderated by Busayo Balogun, head of Corporate Services at the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), featured speakers including Omotola Olaseni, managing director/CEO of GO54; Ebenezer Dare, CEO of HOSTLAG Limited; Ahmad Mukoshy, CEO of GigaLayer; and Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, managing director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone. 

These experts delved into the benefits, challenges, and untapped opportunities surrounding the adoption of .ng domains by Nigerian businesses and web developers.

The Case for Localisation: Leveraging .NG for Growth

Omotola Olaseni stressed the importance of owning a local domain: “If you want to succeed in Nigeria and truly establish your presence, having a .ng domain will go a long way for you and your business.”

Ebenezer Dare built on this, highlighting the technical advantages of .ng domains, particularly in reducing cyber risks and enhancing Search Engine Optimization (SEO): “Using a .ng domain and hosting locally reduces the number of attacks on your website. If your traffic is local, it helps your SEO because search engines prioritise locally hosted websites when people search within the country.”

He also noted the affordability of .ng domains, stating: “Many years ago, .com was way cheaper than .ng. But today, you can buy three .ng domains for the price of one .com. They are all top-level domains, so why not go with the cost advantage?”

Addressing Challenges

Ahmad Mukoshy acknowledged some challenges developers face when working with .ng domains, particularly with DNS configurations: “Developers tend to have challenges with manipulating or using DNS because it is complex, as simple as it seems.”

He further elaborated on the advantages of .ng domains, explaining their unique offerings compared to .com: “There are some other domain names you would want, and you would not find them under .com. The .ng domain gives you sovereignty and a unique identity as a Nigerian.”

Ebenezer Dare addressed misconceptions about .ng domains being “too local,” emphasising: “Some people say my business is global, so I don’t want to remain local. But even with a .ng domain, anybody from any part of the world can access your website and do business with you. Let’s educate our customers about these advantages and work to mitigate the challenges.”

.NG as a Symbol of Sovereignty

Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju brought a historical perspective to the discussion, tracing the evolution of the internet from the early days of the World Wide Web to the current era of Web 3.0: “The future of the World Wide Web lies in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and machine learning. The .ng domain gives Nigeria a sovereign digital identity, akin to the country code +234. It shows that Nigerians are powering and contributing to the digital ecosystem.”

He also highlighted the government’s role in adopting .ng domains, noting the example of Service Wise GPT, an AI-powered platform recently launched to enhance civil service processes: “This project shows the potential of integrating AI into government services, and it is all powered by .ng domains. The local domain reinforces our identity and promotes innovation within the country.”

Building Awareness

In closing, the panel emphasised the need for increased awareness about the benefits of .ng domains. Busayo Balogun, the moderator, noted: “I’m sure there are challenges, but sessions like these help in building trust and confidence in the .ng domain.”

There was a consensus among the panellists that organisations like NiRA should engage with tech communities, schools, and businesses to drive .ng adoption.

Ebenezer Dare reiterated: “We need to create more awareness. Let people see the need for .ng domains. Engage tech communities and educate students about this. With time, more people will embrace .ng domains.”

The session at the NiRA Tech Convergence 1.0 was a detailed exploration of how webmasters and developers can leverage .ng domains to drive growth in Nigeria’s digital space.

It stressed the need for stakeholders to embrace local domains as tools for innovation, economic growth, and national identity.

This prestigious certification recognizes Galaxy Backbone’s commitment to delivering the highest standards of reliability, security, and operational excellence in its Cloud and Data Centre operations.

The Tier IV certification is the maximum level of Data Centre certification offered by Uptime Institute, signifying a facility that offers 99.995% availability.

It affirms that the Galaxy Backbone Data Centre meets stringent criteria for fault tolerance, redundancy, and robust operational processes, enhanced security and providing unparalleled service to its clients.

Key Highlights of Galaxy Backbone’s Tier IV Data Centre:

• Fault Tolerance: The Data Centre is designed to withstand multiple equipment failures and maintain continuous operations, ensuring maximum uptime for critical applications.
• Redundancy: Complete redundancy in power, cooling, and network systems, ensuring no single point of failure can disrupt services.
• 24/7 Monitoring and Management: Advanced monitoring systems and a dedicated team of experts provide round-the-clock surveillance and management of the facility.
• Enhanced Security: State-of-the-art security measures, including biometric access controls, surveillance systems, and multi-layered security protocols, protect the integrity and confidentiality of client data.
• Sustainable Practices: Commitment to sustainable practices, including energy-efficient technologies and environmentally friendly operations, aligning with global sustainability goals.

Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, the managing director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone, commented on this significant achievement:

“Achieving this Tier IV certification from Uptime Institute is a testament to our unwavering dedication to excellence in Cloud, Data Centre & Business Continuity services. This certification not only reinforces our position as a leader in digital transformation services, but also assures our clients that they can rely on us for the highest levels of service availability and security. We remain committed to driving innovation and delivering world-class services to support the digital transformation of Nigeria and beyond.”

This certification thus, compliments its already existing Tier III Uptime certified Data Centre in Abuja and presents a critical milestone for Galaxy Backbone as it continues to expand its services and capabilities to meet the growing demand for reliable and secure digital infrastructure services.

This also strengthens GBB’s drive and commitment around data sovereignty, which encourages public and private organisations to host and collocate its IT applications within the country. This recent achievement further positions Galaxy Backbone as a preferred partner for organisations seeking robust and resilient data centre solutions.

Galaxy Backbone is a transformation enabler, a platform and aggregator of digital services for effective delivery across public and private sector organisations.

Beyond its world class data centres, Galaxy Backbone has connected about 30 states with its fibre optic cables providing secure, high-speed connectivity to and between organisations.

Its Security Operations Centre (SOC), ensure the provision of secure digital services across its stakeholders and customers.