FG Backs Local Cloud Hosting Efforts to Reduce Foreign Dependence

By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government has pledged to back local cloud hosting efforts and data infrastructure to allow Nigerian companies compete with foreign counterparts.

The Nigerian government made this pledged as MTN Nigeria launched its $150 million Tier III Dabengwa Data Centre in Lagos.

This new facility, which is West Africa’s largest modular data center, was unveiled on Tuesday in a high-profile ceremony, marking a significant step in the country’s digital evolution and showcasing the administration’s dedication to achieving full digital sovereignty.

Speaking at the commissioning, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani, said the new facility was a vital pillar in the government’s broader strategy to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign hosting services, enhance digital resilience, and foster economic diversification.

“This initiative aligns directly with the vision of President Bola Tinubu to build a $1 trillion economy, an economy powered by productivity, innovation, enterprise, and inclusivity,” Mr Tijani said.

“With infrastructure like this, we are keeping our data and capital local, reducing the need to spend scarce foreign exchange. It provides the digital backbone for key sectors such as fintech, healthcare, education, and AI. This is how we build national trust and ensure digital sovereignty,” he added.

Mr Tijani also reaffirmed that the facility supports the government’s Project BRIDGE and the deployment of 7,000 communication towers in unserved and underserved areas, which together aim to provide meaningful connectivity to over 20 million Nigerians still offline.

He further praised MTN’s support for the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, noting the company’s N3 billion commitment to training Nigerian youth in digital skills.

“Talent needs platforms. This facility provides exactly that enterprise-grade infrastructure on Nigerian soil that enables startups, developers, and creators to scale their innovations from Nigeria to the world,” the Minister said.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr Kashifu Inua Abdullahi, described the development as more than a corporate milestone, calling it a national investment in data sovereignty and a foundation for Africa-focused innovation.

“This project signifies Nigeria’s readiness to build a robust, inclusive, and truly sovereign digital ecosystem in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Mr Abdullahi said.

“It directly supports the Nigeria Data Protection and Trust Policy, and positions the country to compete with global hyperscalers by enabling local cloud providers to thrive. With our 9-0-2 strategy, we at NITDA are working to expand inclusive access to digital infrastructure and create the right standards to accelerate cloud and AI adoption nationwide.”

He added that Nigeria is no longer waiting for foreign hyperscalers to invest in local capacity.