The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has urged the Galaxy Backbone (GBB) to increase investment in cybersecurity and broadband infrastructure.

Mr Akume, represented by Dr Ibrahim Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, made the remarks at a gala and award ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of Galaxy Backbone on Friday in Abuja.

He described the organisation as a critical national asset that had strengthened governance, enhanced public service delivery and supported economic growth over the past two decades.

He said that GBB had evolved from a bold government initiative into Nigeria’s foremost provider of secure government connectivity and digital infrastructure.

According to him, the organisation was established to provide a unified, secure ICT infrastructure for government institutions and facilitate efficient service delivery through technology.

He stated, “Today, Galaxy Backbone stands proudly as one of the nation’s foremost digital institutions and the trusted provider of secure government connectivity. The story of Galaxy Backbone is, in many respects, a reflection of Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.

“From its modest beginnings to its current position it has consistently demonstrated excellence, innovation and strategic foresight.”

The SGF said GBB played an indispensable role in connecting government institutions across the country, strengthening cybersecurity frameworks, facilitating digital governance and enabling seamless collaboration among ministries, departments and agencies.

He said the organisation’s extensive fibre-optic network, certified data centres, cloud services and secure digital platforms were the backbone of modern governance in Nigeria.

He said that digital transformation was a necessity rather than an option in today’s rapidly evolving global environment.

“Nations that embrace technology and innovation are better positioned to achieve sustainable economic growth, improve governance outcomes and enhance the quality of life of their citizens,” he said.

The SGF attributed the organisation’s achievements to visionary leadership, dedicated professionals, supportive government policies and strategic partnerships built over the years.

Also, Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi reaffirmed the state’s commitment to digital transformation, saying it was ready to deepen collaboration with GBB to enhance service delivery, digital infrastructure and economic development.

Mr Namadi, represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Ibrahim Gantsa, said the state continued to invest in digital infrastructure and human capital development to position itself as a key player in Nigeria’s digital economy.

According to him, the state is implementing several initiatives, including digital skills development programmes, teacher capacity-building projects and e-governance reforms supported by development partners.

The governor said about 110 civil servants were trained under the state’s e-governance programme.

He stated that 1,000 youths were undergoing training in Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain technology and outsourcing services.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of GBB, Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, said the organisation’s journey began with a bold vision to connect government institutions and make digital infrastructure a strategic national asset.

Mr Adeyanju said that two decades later, the organisation had become a critical pillar of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

He said that the GBB’s achievements were made possible through the support of the Federal Government, stakeholders, partner agencies and generations of staff who helped build the institution.

He added that the organisation’s greatest strength remained its workforce and reaffirmed its commitment to innovation, service delivery and talent development.

(NAN)