Two Years of Purposeful Leadership: Galaxy Backbone Deepens Nigeria’s Digital Infrastructure

Two Years of Purposeful Leadership: Galaxy Backbone Deepens Nigeria’s Digital Infrastructure

Two years after the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, appointed a new Executive Management Team at Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB), the federal ICT infrastructure provider says it has significantly strengthened Nigeria’s digital backbone through expanded connectivity, enhanced cybersecurity, and strategic partnerships.

The anniversary marks the appointment of Prof. Ibrahim A. Adeyanju as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer; Honourable Olusegun Olulade as Executive Director, Customer Centricity and Marketing; Muhammed Sani Ibrahim as Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Services; and Olumbe Akinkugbe as Executive Director, Digital Exploration and Technical Services.

Driving a National Digital Strategy

According to the organisation, the Executive Management Team aligned its operations with the Integrated Digital Transformation Strategy (IDTS) 2023–2028, shifting focus from basic connectivity provision to building an integrated digital ecosystem anchored on infrastructure, platforms, policy alignment, and value creation.

Under the plan, broadband connectivity was extended to nine underserved Local Government Areas under Project 774, aimed at expanding digital inclusion nationwide. Fibre-to-Hostel projects were completed at the University of Lagos, University of Abuja, and University of Jos, strengthening digital learning and research capacity.

Connectivity upgrades were also implemented at strategic public institutions, including the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and key Federal Secretariats to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.

Strategic Partnerships and Infrastructure Resilience

In a move to enhance redundancy and scale broadband access, Galaxy Backbone entered into a strategic partnership with the West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC). The collaboration is designed to reinforce Nigeria’s national fibre backbone and strengthen digital resilience across more states and underserved communities.

The organisation also expanded its 1Government Cloud platform to support additional Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) with secure hosting and shared services. GovMail, a locally developed official email solution for federal public and civil servants, now serves over 100,000 users, according to the statement.

Cybersecurity measures were bolstered through round-the-clock monitoring and improved system controls, while data centre and colocation services were upgraded. The GBB Service Desk now operates 24/7 throughout the year.

Further institutional reforms included deployment of the Government-as-a-Platform (GaaP) framework, improvements to the Government Service Portal, ISO recertification milestones, and the implementation of an Integrated Management System (IMS), aimed at strengthening governance and accountability.

Navigating Challenges

The organisation acknowledged challenges ranging from fiscal constraints and legacy systems to growing cyber threats and rising demand for digital public services. However, management said disciplined financial oversight, stakeholder engagement, and strategic partnerships helped stabilise operations and improve service quality.

Support from the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, was described as instrumental in aligning policy direction with implementation.

Awards and Recognition

Over the past two years, Galaxy Backbone has received more than 20 recognitions, including the NET5.5G Pioneer Award, an Artificial Intelligence Award, the Overall Winner Award at the Nigeria @ 65 Independence Kitty, the BPSR Website Performance Award, and Best ICT Provider Company of the Year at the International Standard Excellence Awards.

The organisation’s MD/CEO, Prof. Adeyanju, was also listed among the top 100 leading personalities in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.

Looking Ahead

Two years on, Galaxy Backbone positions itself not only as an infrastructure provider but as a strategic custodian of Nigeria’s sovereign digital backbone. With expanded connectivity, enhanced cybersecurity, and strengthened partnerships, the agency says it remains committed to powering a secure, connected, and digitally enabled Nigeria.