MTN’s $150m data hub gets government’s nod for advancing digital economy

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani, has described  MTN Nigeria’s Dabengwa Data Centre as an investment that aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to grow Nigeria’s digital economy.

Tijani made the disclosure during the unveiling of MTN Nigeria’s Dabengwa Data Centre and Cloud Launch in Ikeja, Lagos, recently,

Tijani, at the event, commended MTN Nigeria for its continued investment in the country, noting that the new data centre – estimated to cost around $150 million – is the kind of technological infrastructure that supports the $1 trillion economy the current administration aims to build.

“An investment like this, the one we are here to launch, offers a platform for our young people to thrive,” Tijani said. He continued: “Enterprise-grade infrastructure like this, on our soil, gives startups, developers, and digital creators the ability to build and scale from Nigeria to the world. With this facility, MTN is reinforcing its position as Nigeria’s digital backbone.”

The data centre, named after the late Sifiso Dabengwa, a former CEO of MTN Nigeria and later Group Chief Operating Officer before his passing in September last year is being hailed as Nigeria’s largest prefabricated modular data centre. It will deliver 4.5 MW in phase 1, with an additional 4.5 MW to be delivered in phase 2, which is expected to be completed soon.

According to the Minister, the MTN Data Centre will contribute to growing Nigeria’s economy by “unlocking productivity, hiring enterprise, and driving diversification through technological innovation and inclusion.”

“For this reason, if you don’t mind,” he added, “let’s rise and give a round of applause to MTN for their consistent commitment to Nigeria. The administration of President Bola Tinubu recognises that we cannot build a modern, diversified economy without modern infrastructure – both physical and digital.”

In his welcome address, Mr Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, thanked the Federal Government for its continued support and reiterated the company’s commitment to long-term investment in the country.

“We are committed to building locally managed, globally competitive digital platforms that will enable businesses to scale faster and engage more people in wide-ranging research and development.

“At MTN, we believe everyone, particularly Nigerians and Africans, deserves the benefits of a modern, connected life. We continue to push boundaries to make the humanly impossible, conceivable, feasible, and ultimately possible,” he said.

The unveiling ceremony drew other stakeholders, policymakers, and members of the public sector, all of whom applauded MTN’s bold move, not just as a telecom giant, but as a leader in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, providing a platform to accelerate digital transformation and innovation.

Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), represented by Engr. Babagaba Digima, Deputy Director, New Media and Information Security

Department, said: “Today marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s digital sovereignty and technological independence. The infrastructure we celebrate today embodies our collective vision of a digitally empowered Nigeria.”

Commending MTN’s leadership in digital innovation, Engr. Digima noted, “The Commission remains committed to creating an environment that supports innovation while ensuring the highest standards of cybersecurity, data protection, and robust internet infrastructure. We will continue to work closely with operators to ensure that the deployment of critical infrastructure meets the high standards our digital economy deserves.

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