The Chairman of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, has said reliable electricity supply is critical to achieving Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a hub for local data hosting and Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centres.
Ekeh made this known during an online media engagement with journalists on Sunday.
He described the Federal Government’s push to promote local data hosting and indigenous data centres as a welcome development, but stressed that addressing infrastructure gaps — especially electricity — would be vital to its success.
“It is a good policy. It is futuristic, but government must do its own part. Without reliable power, it will be difficult to achieve,” he said.
According to him, uninterrupted electricity is essential for the operation of modern data centres, which require continuous power to deliver reliable services.
He noted that many operators currently rely on a combination of grid electricity and alternative power sources, which increases operating costs and makes large-scale investments more challenging.
Ekeh said although businesses have continued to adapt, the high cost of energy remains a major consideration for technology investments.
He described solar energy as a useful intervention but maintained that strengthening the national grid remains essential for supporting large-scale digital infrastructure.
“Solar is not a total solution. It is an intervention. The national grid remains the real solution,” he said.
Ekeh cautioned against the growing use of substandard solar equipment, warning that poor-quality systems often fail within a short period, resulting in additional costs for businesses.
Beyond electricity, he said Nigeria is not yet ready for large-scale AI data centres due to inadequate digital infrastructure and a shortage of skilled technology professionals.
According to him, many existing data centres were designed before the emergence of AI and would require significant upgrades to meet current technological demands.
“We have moved to AI data centres. If you invest in a conventional data centre today, you are already investing in outdated technology,” he said.
Ekeh identified human capital as another major challenge, noting that many universities still lack stable electricity, decent computer laboratories, and qualified lecturers needed to produce quality tech professionals.
He also highlighted the migration of skilled technology professionals to countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States as a continuing challenge for Nigeria’s digital economy.
“How much can you pay a technology expert here when the person can earn much more in the United Kingdom or the United States?” he asked.
The Zinox chairman stressed that trust, integrity, and strong data protection are essential to encouraging organisations to host sensitive information locally.
While commending the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for promoting local technology development, Ekeh said effective implementation would be key to achieving the desired results.
“I respect the CBN governor. He means well and is putting many things in place, but implementation is another matter,” he said.
Ekeh also called for a credible digital population census, saying reliable demographic data would improve national planning and support future investments in the country’s digital economy.
“A digital census will tell us how many Nigerians will attain the age of 18 next year or in the years ahead. That is the kind of data needed for effective planning,” he said.
This comes after a recent CBN directive mandating banks, fintechs, and other payment service providers to store payment transaction data generated in Nigeria on local servers from January 1, 2027.
