The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, has called on Galaxy Backbone (GBB) to increase investment in cybersecurity and broadband infrastructure.
Akume, represented by Dr. Ibrahim Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, made the remarks at a gala and award ceremony celebrating GBB’s 20th anniversary on Friday in Abuja.
He described GBB as a vital national asset that has strengthened governance, improved public service delivery, and supported economic growth over the past two decades.
He noted that GBB has evolved from a government initiative into Nigeria’s leading provider of secure government connectivity and digital infrastructure.
According to him, the organization was established to offer a unified, secure ICT infrastructure for government agencies and to facilitate efficient service delivery through technology.
“Today, Galaxy Backbone is one of the nation’s top digital institutions and a trusted provider of secure government connectivity. The story of GBB mirrors Nigeria’s digital transformation journey. From humble beginnings, it has shown excellence, innovation, and strategic foresight,” he said.
The SGF emphasized GBB’s crucial role in connecting government institutions nationwide, strengthening cybersecurity, enabling digital governance, and fostering collaboration among ministries, departments, and agencies.
He added that the organization’s extensive fiber-optic network, certified data centers, cloud services, and secure platforms are the backbone of modern governance in Nigeria.
He stressed that digital transformation is essential in today’s fast-changing global environment.
“Nations that embrace technology and innovation are better positioned to achieve sustainable growth, improve governance, and enhance citizens’ quality of life,” he stated.
The SGF credited GBB’s achievements to visionary leadership, dedicated staff, supportive policies, and strategic partnerships over the years.
Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa reaffirmed the state’s commitment to digital transformation, expressing readiness to deepen collaboration with GBB to improve service delivery, digital infrastructure, and economic development.
Represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Ibrahim Gantsa, Namadi said the state continues to invest in digital infrastructure and human capital development.
He highlighted initiatives such as digital skills training, teacher capacity-building, and e-governance reforms supported by development partners.
He noted that over 110 civil servants have been trained under the state’s e-governance program, and 1,000 youths are undergoing training in AI, blockchain, and outsourcing services.
Meanwhile, GBB Managing Director Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju said the organization’s journey began with a vision to connect government institutions and make digital infrastructure a strategic asset.
He stated that, after 20 years, GBB has become a vital part of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Adeyanju attributed the organization’s success to the support of the federal government, stakeholders, partner agencies, and staff, reaffirming its commitment to innovation, service excellence, and talent development.
