The expansion of fibre optic network in Africa is a critical development in the journey toward digital transformation. This achievement supports key objectives, including bridging the digital divide, fostering economic growth, and strengthening the continent’s position in the global digital economy.
Technology services provider of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Galaxy Backbone (GBB), has successfully deployed its cutting-edge fibre optic network in Lagos, Ibadan, and Ilorin, it announced on December 16. This marks a major milestone in Phase II of the National Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone (NICTIB) project. The expansion reflects GBB's commitment to enhancing Nigeria's digital connectivity and accelerating its transformation into a digitally inclusive nation.
Prof. Ibrahim A. Adeyanju, Managing Director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone, hailed the achievement, stating: "The expansion of our fibre optic network to Lagos, Ibadan, and Ilorin is a significant step in bridging the digital divide and positioning Nigeria as a global leader in the digital economy. This infrastructure empowers us to deliver innovative, customer-focused solutions for both the public and private sectors."
With an extensive cross-country optical fibre backbone now spanning over 5,000 kilometers across 27 state capitals, GBB continues to solidify its role as Nigeria’s digital backbone. The project integrates the nation’s six geopolitical zones, enhancing digital inclusion and fostering economic growth.
The newly completed Abuja-to-Lagos route, which connects key cities such as Minna, Bida, Mokwa, Ilorin, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Ibadan, and Lagos, is a strategic development designed to bolster network reliability. This closed-loop network ensures service redundancy and reduces potential downtime, offering users a seamless, world-class digital experience.
The fibre optic network enhances high-speed, secure connectivity for government institutions and businesses, empowering them to thrive in an increasingly digital world. With this deployment, GBB reinforces its commitment to Nigeria’s socio-economic growth and its vision of a digitally inclusive society.
As Galaxy Backbone (GBB) extends its network, it reinforces its position as a key partner in driving Nigeria's digital economy, fostering innovation, and enabling sustainable development. This initiative aligns with GBB’s vision of building a smarter government, which will pave the way for smart communities, cities, and a more technology-driven nation. It also marks a significant step towards fulfilling its mandate of operating a nationwide IP-based network to provide a unified platform for connectivity and infrastructure services for all Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The expansion aligns with Nigeria's National Broadband Plan 2020-2025 which aims to increase broadband penetration to 90% by 2025, a goal supported by GBB’s ongoing projects.
Hikmatu Bilali
