In 2025, Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB), the Federal Government-owned digital infrastructure provider, achieved a major milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards a fully connected digital society by expanding broadband connectivity to 13 underserved communities and institutions across the country. According to the Voice of Nigeria, development reflects a deepened commitment to narrowing the digital gap, boosting access to information and services, and laying foundations for long-term digital growth.
The significance of this rollout is hard to overstate. In a nation where internet access forms the backbone of modern learning, business, governance, and public services, extending reliable broadband beyond core urban centres marks a strategic shift towards equitable digital participation. The new connections are designed to give students, civil servants, residents, and travellers better access to high-speed internet and the opportunities that come with it.
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Galaxy Backbone Reaching the Unconnected and Under-Resourced
Of the 13 locations linked during this phase, three are Federal Universities, two are Local Government Area offices, and eight are Federal Secretariat complexes that had previously lacked dependable broadband. These sites play critical roles in public administration, education, and community service delivery, making them natural candidates for connectivity enhancements.
One standout addition to the list of connected institutions is Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Linking this key transport hub highlights how broadband infrastructure can support not just education and government but also economic activity, global communication, and travel convenience across Nigeria.
Galaxy Backbone’s executive team said the selective deployment was intentional, focusing on areas where existing network infrastructure could be extended and where reliable broadband would have the most immediate impact. In many cases, these were institutions that had the potential to leverage broadband for productive and public-serving outcomes but were not yet commercially attractive to private internet providers.
Driving Education and Better Governance
The expansion is particularly meaningful for students and academic staff who are now better positioned to engage with digital learning resources, collaborate on research, and tap into global knowledge pools. Students who previously struggled with unstable internet can expect a more consistent online experience that supports both academic and personal development.
Local government offices and Federal Secretariat facilities now connected to broadband will see improved capacity to serve citizens through streamlined electronic services. E-government applications that require real-time data exchange, online documentation, and secure communication now stand a better chance of growing in efficiency and reliability.
The outcome underscores Galaxy Backbone’s strategic role in reinforcing digital capacity at public institutions, enabling them to evolve beyond traditional analogue operations towards more responsive and efficient digital service delivery.
A Strategic Move Within Nigeria’s Digital Agenda
The broadband rollout aligns closely with national targets to increase broadband penetration and deepen digital inclusion across states. GBB’s work supports broader initiatives such as Project 774 – Universities’ Hostel Connectivity, which aims to link student housing to dependable internet, and plays into the Federal Government’s overarching goals for digital transformation.
By focusing on communities that were not commercially appealing to private firms, GBB is complementing market-led investments and enabling a more holistic growth of Nigeria’s digital economy. Officials involved in the expansion highlighted that each new connection brings Nigeria a step closer to the inclusive digital economy envisioned in national policy, where internet access is a bridge to innovation, employment, and improved livelihoods.
Looking Ahead: Sustained Growth and Connectivity
Galaxy Backbone has made it clear that this is just one phase of a broader plan to deepen Nigeria’s digital infrastructure. Beyond the initial 13 community connections, the organisation remains dedicated to reaching more locations, especially those that have been on the margins of the country’s digital landscape.
In the years ahead, continued broadband expansion is expected to support education, economic participation, governance, and public engagement across Nigeria. By providing secure and scalable digital infrastructure, Galaxy Backbone hopes to accelerate innovation and ensure that government institutions, students, entrepreneurs, and citizens have the tools they need to compete in an increasingly digital world.
The work by GBB positions the country for greater technological empowerment, and the rollout to these 13 communities stands as a testament to what is possible when long-term vision meets practical execution. With further phases already anticipated, Nigeria’s digital landscape is shifting in favour of broader access, stronger connectivity, and a more inclusive digital future.
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