FG spent N3.8 trillion on IT infrastructure since 2023, NITDA DG says

The Federal Government has invested more than N3.8 trillion in information technology infrastructure since 2023, according to Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

Inuwa disclosed this during an interview on TVC News, where he explained the government's National Sovereign Cloud Initiative and its strategy to build local capacity in cloud computing, data centres and other digital infrastructure.

What Inuwa is saying

Inuwa said government data showed that more than N3.8 trillion had been invested in IT infrastructure so far.

“Based on data from 2023 to date, the government invested over N3.8 trillion in IT infrastructure,” he said.

According to him, the government can leverage this spending to build domestic capacity rather than having IT investments remain fragmented across individual government agencies.

“Imagine channeling that investment into building local capacity,” Inuwa said.

He said the government has agreed to adopt a Cloud-First strategy, under which ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) will be discouraged from establishing standalone data centres and server rooms and instead move towards cloud infrastructure.

“Government has agreed to adopt a Cloud-First strategy, meaning MDAs will be discouraged from building standalone data centers or server rooms and required to move to the cloud,” he said.

He said the government is also providing policy and regulatory certainty for foreign hyperscalers and other technology companies willing to establish infrastructure in Nigeria.

“The initiative is not about Nigeria closing its doors against foreign technologies, but asking them to come and build with us,” Inuwa said.

Rather than excluding foreign technology providers, he said Nigeria wants them to participate in building infrastructure locally while the government creates the demand and regulatory environment needed to support investment.

Policy push for local cloud

Nigeria's push to strengthen local cloud and digital infrastructure has accelerated through a series of regulatory and policy measures.

In February 2025, NITDA finalised a data classification framework aimed at promoting cloud adoption, strengthening data governance and creating a clearer environment for cloud investment.

The push gained momentum in June 2026 when the Central Bank of Nigeria directed banks, fintechs and other payment-system participants to host payment transaction data generated in Nigeria within the country, with a January 1, 2027 compliance deadline.

Earlier in August, NITDA signed a Sovereign Cloud Framework to strengthen regulation and oversight of cloud and digital infrastructure, while the Federal Government unveiled a National Digital Cloud Policy targeting greater cloud adoption and investment.

On August 21, NITDA and the Budget Office also launched a Joint Technical Committee to develop the fiscal, procurement and investment structures needed to implement the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative.

The latest disclosure by NITDA DG Kashifu Inuwa that the government has already invested more than N3.8 trillion in IT infrastructure since 2023 adds a significant financial dimension to Nigeria's push to build a larger domestic cloud and data-centre ecosystem.

What you should know

Nigeria's push for sovereign cloud infrastructure comes as demand for data-centre capacity rises alongside cloud computing, fintech and artificial intelligence.

Nigeria had approximately 66 MW of third-party data-centre capacity as of late 2024, with several hundred megawatts in the pipeline, according to Estate Intel. The firm projected that the country's data-centre capacity could rise from 56.1 MW in 2025 to more than 218 MW by 2030.

For Nigerian businesses, the government's focus on local cloud and data infrastructure could mean faster services and reduced reliance on foreign hosting, while the policy certainty may attract more investment into the country's digital economy.