Ken Okeke
Nigeria is increasing the migration of government Agencies onto a shared cloud platform managed by Galaxy Backbone thus reducing duplication of ICT spending, improve interoperability between agencies and strengthen data sovereignty
The expansion reflects a broader push to digitize public services and build national digital infrastructure
The Government is expanding the use of shared cloud infrastructure across Nigerian government institutions by requiring ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to adopt common digital platforms rather than maintain separate information technology systems.
The strategy is being implemented through Galaxy Backbone’s 1Government Cloud framework, a platform that provides cloud hosting, government email services, digital collaboration tools, enterprise content management systems and data storage infrastructure for public institutions.
The initiative was a central theme during activities marking Galaxy Backbone’s 20th anniversary, where the government-owned ICT provider outlined plans to expand cloud services, data centers and digital platforms used across the federal public sector.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to address longstanding inefficiencies in government ICT spending.
For years, many MDAs independently procured servers, software licenses, connectivity services and data-center infrastructure, often resulting in duplicated costs and fragmented information systems. By consolidating services onto a common platform, the government aims to reduce infrastructure expenditure while improving coordination and information sharing between institutions.
Galaxy Backbone was established in 2006 as the Federal Government’s shared-services provider and has increasingly become the backbone of Nigeria’s digital government architecture.
According to the company, its fibre-optic network now extends to nearly 30 states, connecting government institutions through a common communications infrastructure while supporting cloud-based service delivery across hundreds of agencies.
The expansion also aligns with Nigeria’s growing emphasis on data sovereignty. As governments worldwide seek greater control over public-sector data, Nigerian authorities have increasingly promoted the hosting of government systems within domestic infrastructure. Galaxy Backbone operates a Tier III National Shared Services Centre in Abuja and a Tier IV disaster recovery facility in Kano, allowing government applications and records to be hosted within the country rather than relying on overseas infrastructure.
Recent migrations suggest adoption of the platform is gaining momentum. Federal institutions including the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Ministry of Environment have moved key operations onto the 1Government Cloud Enterprise Content Management System, using digital workflows to replace paper-based processes and improve document management.
The government’s commitment to the model was reinforced in August 2025 when federal authorities reaffirmed Galaxy Backbone as the designated provider of core ICT infrastructure for MDAs. The decision consolidated the company’s role in providing network connectivity, cloud hosting, data-center services and other shared digital infrastructure across government.
Beyond cost savings, policymakers increasingly view shared digital infrastructure as essential to improving service delivery.
As more government functions move online, common platforms can help standardize systems, improve cybersecurity oversight and reduce the technical barriers that have historically limited interoperability between public institutions