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Two Years of Purposeful Leadership at Galaxy Backbone
Two years after the appointment of a new Executive Management Team by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) is recording measurable progress in strengthening Nigeria’s digital backbone.
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The appointments of Ibrahim A. Adeyanju as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, 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 marked a turning point in the organisation’s role as a strategic enabler of Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Integrated Strategy Anchors Digital Transformation
From inception, the leadership team aligned execution with national priorities through the launch of the Integrated Digital Transformation Strategy (IDTS) 2023–2028. This helps in shifting GBB’s role from connectivity provision to ecosystem leadership spanning infrastructure, platforms, policy alignment, value creation, and people.
The mandate focused on delivering secure, sovereign digital infrastructure while improving service delivery across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Expanding Connectivity and National Digital Access
Within two years, Galaxy Backbone expanded broadband access to nine underserved Local Government Areas under Project 774, extending digital inclusion to previously unserved communities.
Fibre-to-Hostel projects were completed at the University of Lagos, University of Abuja, and University of Jos. All of these strengthening digital learning and research capabilities. Connectivity was also enhanced at strategic national assets. These include the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and key Federal Secretariats, improving service reliability and operational efficiency.
Strategic Partnerships Strengthen Digital Resilience
To enhance long-term resilience, GBB entered a strategic partnership with West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC). It has helped to reinforce Nigeria’s national fibre backbone, and improved redundancy. Eually important, it has enabled scalable broadband expansion across more states and underserved communities.
This partnership significantly strengthened Nigeria’s digital resilience architecture.
Advancing Sovereign Cloud and Cybersecurity Capabilities
Under the current leadership, the 1Government Cloud platform was optimised and expanded to support more MDAs with secure hosting, shared services, and improved operational efficiency. GovMail, a locally developed government email platform, now serves over 100,000 public and civil servants. GovMail has helped to strengthen trusted government communications.
Cybersecurity capabilities were reinforced through 24/7 monitoring, enhanced controls, and upgraded data centre and colocation services. GBB’s Service Desk now operates 24/7, 365 days a year. The deployment of Government as a Platform (GaaP) has ensured improvements to the Government Service Portal, and ISO recertifications. In addition to all these is the implementation of an Integrated Management System to institutionalise governance and accountability.
Leadership Support and Institutional Alignment
Despite fiscal constraints, legacy systems, and rising cyber threats, the Executive Management Team stabilised systems and improved service quality through disciplined financial management, partnerships, and stakeholder engagement.
Support from the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and GBB Board Chairman, George Akume, and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has been instrumental in aligning policy with execution.
Awards and Industry Recognition
Over the past two years, Galaxy Backbone has earned more than 20 national recognitions. They includw the NET5.5G Pioneer Award, an inaugural Artificial Intelligence Award, and the Overall Winner at the Nigeria @ 65 Independence Kitty. Other awards are the BPSR Website Performance Award, and Best ICT Provider Company of the Year at the International Standard Excellence Awards.
Prof. Adeyanju was also named among the Top 100 Leading Personalities in Nigeria’s Telecoms Industry. This reflects growing institutional credibility and leadership impact.
Building a Secure, Connected Digital Nigeria
Two years on, Galaxy Backbone has evolved beyond an infrastructure provider into a strategic custodian of Nigeria’s sovereign digital backbone.
With a clear vision, disciplined execution, and sustained collaboration, the organisation continues to deepen connectivity. GBB is strengthening cybersecurity, expanding cloud sovereignty, and build a resilient digital foundation for national development.
