The second phase of Nigeria’s National ICT Infrastructure Backbone (NICTIB) project for the buildout of a nationwide fibre optic network is to be completed in 2025, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, CEO of Galaxy Backbone says.
This initiative, led by the government-owned ICT services provider, is designed to expand broadband access, bridge digital divides, and strengthen the country’s digital economy.
Adeyanju revealed this in a video shared by Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, where heads of agencies under his Ministry shared their achievements and plans for 2025.
The completion of this phase will boost Nigeria’s broadband penetration, which currently stands at 42.24% as at October 2024, with a target of reaching 70% by 2025, according to Nigeria’s telecoms regulator, the National Communications Commission (NCC). This expansion is expected to improve connectivity in critical sectors like healthcare, education, and commerce.
According to the Galaxy Backbone CEO, the government technology company has recorded significant progress in 2024 with the fiber-optic network extending from Ilorin to Lagos.
Galaxy Backbone: What NICTIB Phase 2 brings to Nigeria
The NICTIB project, established to create a nationwide fiber-optic network, aims to transform Nigeria’s digital infrastructure. Phase 2 focuses on connecting underserved regions and enhancing the reliability of broadband services nationwide across 19 northern states.
The completion of this phase will boost Nigeria’s broadband penetration, which currently stands at 42.24% as at October 2024, with a target of reaching 70% by 2025, according to Nigeria’s telecoms regulator, the National Communications Commission (NCC). This expansion is expected to improve connectivity in critical sectors like healthcare, education, and commerce.
Reflecting on 2024, Adeyanju reveals that Galaxy Backbone is not only focused on physical infrastructure but also on maintaining international quality benchmarks. The company has retained ISO 27001 and PCI DSS certifications, which are crucial for ensuring data security and service reliability.
ISO 27001 is a globally recognised standard for managing information security systems, ensuring that sensitive data is protected from cyber threats. Meanwhile, PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) ensures secure handling of payment-related data, critical for modern digital ecosystems.
“These certifications are important for us as a business recognising the global standards as well as maintaining such standards for our infrastructure including our data centre as well as our fibre,” Adeyanju explains.
Beyond infrastructure, Galaxy Backbone says it has actively engaged with stakeholders to align the NICTIB project with regional development needs. Governors from Bauchi, Adamawa, Benue, Zamfara, and other states have partnered with the organization to enhance the utility of ICT infrastructure in their regions.
The company says it has also invested heavily in staff development. Adeyanju noted that 70% of the workforce has received foreign ICT training under the NICTIB project, equipping them to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Among other achievements, “we’ve also been able to work with the head of service in terms of some of our initiatives for digital transformation, for providing emails to civil servants, that’s one of our biggest achievements,” according to the Galaxy Backbone CEO.
What’s Ahead in 2025?
In addition to completing NICTIB Phase 2, Adeyanju reveals that Galaxy Backbone plans to roll out its Integrated Digital Transformation Strategy (IDTS) in 2025. The strategy includes launching two key platforms: the Government Data Exchange (GDX) and the Government Service Portal (GSP).
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