NITDA unveils regulatory framework to drive Nigeria’s Sovereign Cloud Initiative
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has unveiled the regulatory instruments for the National Sovereignty Cloud Initiative (NSCI), a major step aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital sovereignty and accelerating the growth of the country’s digital economy.
The NSCI, a Federal Government programme coordinated by NITDA, is designed to boost the adoption of secure and reliable cloud infrastructure through the National Computing Guideline, National Cloud Technical Guideline, National Digital Infrastructure Assurance Framework and National Cloud Investment Strategy.
Speaking at the unveiling in Abuja, NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said the initiative would provide the regulatory certainty, technical standards and assurance framework needed to build a trusted cloud ecosystem that promotes investment, innovation and sustainable economic growth.
Abdullahi added that Nigeria must position itself as a digital infrastructure hub for West and Central Africa by investing in world-class cloud infrastructure. He also commended the NSCI Technical Working Group and other stakeholders, stressing that successful implementation would require strong collaboration among regulators.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Engr. Nadungu Gagare, said the initiative demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s data sovereignty while strengthening the digital economy.
He noted that keeping government data within Nigeria’s jurisdiction would improve regulatory compliance, expand local cloud capacity, create jobs and encourage indigenous innovation, while pledging the ministry’s support for full implementation across government institutions.
In a goodwill message, CBN Governor Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, represented by Dr. Rakiya Opemi Yusuf, said collaboration between the apex bank, NITDA and other government institutions would strengthen Nigeria’s digital ecosystem and position the country as Africa’s trusted hub for digital finance and cloud innovation.
Galaxy Backbone Managing Director, Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, described the initiative as timely, especially following the CBN’s directive on data localisation by financial institutions. He said the NSCI would attract investment, develop local talent and create jobs, while NITDA announced plans to inaugurate the Sovereign Cloud Governance Committee (SovGov) within two weeks to oversee implementation.
