By Progress Godfrey

ABUJA – Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB), Nigeria’s information technology and shared services provider, has said that the country must take a leading role in shaping emerging technologies rather than consuming global innovations.

The Managing Director of GBB, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, said this at a press conference in Abuja on Monday to kick off the company’s 20th anniversary celebrations, highlighting Nigeria’s readiness to lead Africa’s digital transformation.

​The state-owned digital infrastructure company is celebrating two decades of establishing a shared technology platform for the federal government, with the mandate to eliminate duplication, reduce costs, and improve service delivery across public institutions.

​Adeyanju explained that the agency has grown from a simple connectivity provider into a major national asset spanning nearly 30 states, adding that the infrastructure now connects various government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and creates a strong base for digital governance.

He stated that in line with its vision, the agency has built world-class data centres and a cloud platform to help public offices work more efficiently. According to him, these facilities ensure that critical national data remains safe and hosted within the country to protect national sovereignty.

​”The question before us is simple: Will Nigeria merely consume these innovations? Or will Nigeria actively shape how they transform our nation? At Galaxy Backbone, our answer is clear. We choose to lead,” he said.

​The GBB boss noted that the current leadership is heavily investing in people, cybersecurity, and operational standards to match global practices, an effort that aims to make the firm a top digital transformation driver across Sub-Saharan Africa.

​”The next chapter of Galaxy Backbone will therefore not simply be about building infrastructure; It will be about maximising infrastructure. It will be about enabling innovation through smart digital solutions, expanding digital access, supporting sub nationals, businesses and institutions.

​”Our new brand identity, symbolises our evolution from a government ICT Infrastructure provider to a national digital transformation enabler, aggregator and platform connecting governments, businesses and institutions, through secure and smart digital solutions,” Adeyanju added.

He said the organisation would hold its first Galaxy Backbone Digital Transformation Summit, themed “Powering Nigeria’s Digital Future,” during the week. The platform would bring together leaders from government, industry, and academia to share growth ideas.

​The further highlighted that the company would also launch a refreshed brand identity to show its shift from an infrastructure builder to an economic driver. He added that new corporate social responsibility projects would also take place during the week to support local communities.

​Adeyanju thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, for their continued support. He promised that the next twenty years would bring even greater transformation for the nation.