NITDA Signs Sovereign Cloud Initiative Documents

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has signed key documents under the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative (NSCI), marking a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s digital sovereignty and expanding the country’s cloud computing ecosystem.

The development is expected to accelerate trusted cloud adoption, attract investments in digital infrastructure, and position Nigeria as a regional hub for cloud services, artificial intelligence (AI), data centres, and sovereign computing.

The signed regulatory instruments include the National Cloud Computing Guideline, National Cloud Technical Guideline, and the National Digital Infrastructure Assurance Framework (NDIAF). NITDA also unveiled the National Cloud Investment Strategy to drive investments in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, described cloud infrastructure as critical national infrastructure that supports digital government services, financial technology, artificial intelligence, digital trade, and economic resilience.

According to him, the signing marks Nigeria’s transition from policy formulation to implementation by providing clear regulations, technical standards, and assurance mechanisms needed to build a secure and trusted cloud ecosystem.

He said the framework would protect Nigeria’s digital sovereignty while creating opportunities for innovation, investment, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.

Abdullahi disclosed that implementation of the initiative would begin immediately through a phased approach, with NITDA set to establish a Sovereign Cloud Governance Committee to oversee execution.

He added that by October 2026, the agency plans to launch a national digital regulatory platform that will oversee the onboarding, assessment, certification, and regulation of cloud service providers and digital infrastructure operators across the country.

Representing the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, the Director of the Payment System Supervision Department, Dr. Rakiya Opemi Yusuf, said financial stability now goes beyond traditional banking to include mobile payments, fintech platforms, electronic transfers, and Point of Sale (POS) transactions.

She explained that the CBN’s Data Localisation Circular is designed to ensure sensitive financial data remains within Nigeria while strengthening the country’s financial system against emerging digital risks.

According to Yusuf, NITDA’s Digital Infrastructure Assurance Framework complements the apex bank’s regulatory efforts by improving the security and resilience of Nigeria’s digital infrastructure. She added that implementation guidelines are currently being finalised to support compliance across the financial sector.

The event was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Engr. Nadungu Gagare; the Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone, Prof. Ibrahim Adepoju Adeyanju; Chairman of the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative and CEO of Medallion Data Centres Limited, Ikechukwu Nnamani; as well as representatives from government agencies, academia, development partners, and the private sector.