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By Chinenye Anuforo
Founder and former Chief Executive Officer of MainOne, Funke Opeke, has called for increased investment in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, warning that stronger local connectivity and data processing capacity are critical to unlocking the economic benefits of artificial intelligence (AI).
Opeke, who spoke at the Women in Internet Infrastructure Forum organised by the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) as part of activities marking its 20th anniversary, said Nigeria must strengthen interconnections among telecommunications networks, data centres and digital platforms to ensure more data generated within the country is processed locally.
She said this would help Nigeria retain greater economic value from its digital activities, improve network resilience and strengthen its position as a regional internet hub.
The forum, themed “Breaking the Barriers, Building the Future,” also called for greater participation of women in the development and management of the country’s digital infrastructure, with industry leaders stressing the need to expand access to technical skills, professional opportunities and leadership positions.
Speaking on the theme, “Women Building the Digital Infrastructure of the Future,” Opeke recalled that when she returned to Nigeria in 2005, inadequate infrastructure and high connectivity costs posed significant obstacles to the country’s digital development.
She said MainOne subsequently invested $240 million in infrastructure to improve connectivity across Nigeria and West Africa.
According to her, although Nigeria now has at least eight international submarine cables, the country must ensure that the infrastructure is effectively interconnected to support the growing demands of cloud computing, data centres and AI applications.
She emphasised that the availability of international cables alone would not be sufficient without robust domestic networks capable of moving and processing data efficiently within the country.
Opeke also urged established women in the technology industry to mentor younger professionals and encourage more girls to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers.
Earlier, IXPN board member, Mrs Zubaida Rasheed, said the forum reflected the organisation’s commitment to developing the next generation of professionals who would build and manage the infrastructure underpinning Nigeria’s digital economy.
She noted that the growth of software development, financial technology and AI depended on reliable connectivity, data centres, cloud infrastructure and a skilled workforce.
Rasheed urged women to explore career opportunities in network engineering, internet peering, data centre operations, cloud computing and cybersecurity, noting that these fields were essential to the functioning of the digital economy.
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The Acting Company Secretary of IXPN, Barr Ezinne Ekeghe, highlighted the organisation’s contribution to improving local internet connectivity since its establishment in 2006.
Citing a 2020 Internet Society report, Ekeghe said IXPN’s peak traffic had increased from 300 megabits per second to 125 gigabits per second, generating estimated annual cost savings of about $40 million.
She said the growth demonstrated the economic importance of keeping internet traffic within Nigeria rather than routing it through international networks unnecessarily.
According to her, the country’s digital future would depend not only on resilient infrastructure but also on advanced technical skills and broader opportunities for women and young people.
“The next chapter will be shaped not only by the networks we build, but by who gets the opportunity to build them,” she said.
Participants at the forum also examined barriers limiting women’s participation in the internet infrastructure ecosystem, with discussions highlighting the importance of continuous learning, practical experience, professional visibility and the adoption of digital and AI tools.
A panel session moderated by the Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), Seyi Onasanya, featured Mary Uduma, Vuyiseka Februarie, Uche Nnakenyi and Falilat Jimoh.
The discussions explored ways to build a more inclusive internet ecosystem and address the career expectations and perspectives of Generation Z in the infrastructure sector.
As part of its 20th-anniversary activities, IXPN introduced the IXPN@20 Certification Scholarship, offering 10 professional training opportunities to students and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The initiative is designed to strengthen participants’ technical skills and improve their career prospects. Recipients were selected through eligibility and assessment criteria that included questions from a technical masterclass.
Established in 2006, IXPN facilitates the exchange of internet traffic among networks within Nigeria. By enabling local interconnection, it helps reduce dependence on international transit, improve network performance and strengthen the resilience of the country’s internet infrastructure.
Industry leaders at the forum said developing local infrastructure and investing in technical talent would be crucial to Nigeria’s ability to compete in an increasingly AI-driven global economy.
