Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) has committed its extensive infrastructure and technical expertise to the newly proposed Ministerial Advisory Council for Cybersecurity Coordination in a move to strengthen Nigeria’s sovereign digital assets.
In an interview with Voice of Nigeria, the Executive Director of Digital Transformation and Technical Services at Galaxy Backbone, Olumbe Akinkugbe, outlined the agency’s pivotal role during the inaugural stakeholder session held in Abuja.
As the primary provider of ICT services to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), GBB sits at the heart of the government’s digital operations.
Akinkugbe revealed that GBB’s Security Operations Centre (SOC) currently manages the applications and productivity tools used by the vast majority of government institutions. This positioning makes the agency a critical layer in Nigeria’s national defence strategy.
“That is the role we play. Galaxy Backbone has a security operations centre that actually manages a lot of the applications and productivity tools that most of the MDAs are using today.” Akinkugbe stated.
Addressing concerns regarding physical attacks on data centres and satellite infrastructure, especially as Nigeria prepares to launch two new satellites. Akinkugbe emphasised that security is a multi-agency effort.
He noted that digital infrastructure has now been officially categorised as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) under the recent cybercrime policy from the Office of the National Security Advisor (ONSA). To protect these physical sites, GBB works in close coordination with the Office of the National Security Advisor (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Beyond hardware and fences, Akinkugbe identified “people” as the first line of defence. He highlighted the importance of rigorous identity management and authentication for personnel in sensitive positions to ensure that only verified individuals handle national data.
However, the Executive Director warned that the current fragmented approach to security is a vulnerability. While various bodies like the NCC, NITDA, and private firms have their own security operations, they often work in isolation.
“The reality is there must be collaboration,” Akinkugbe urged. “Various organisations are doing their own bits… but a lot of these things are working in silos. People must speak to each other. It is the sum of all parts, not just one singular person.”
The establishment of the Ministerial Advisory Council is expected to bridge these gaps, turning individual “silos” of security into a unified national shield.