Data centre operators call for increased investment in technology infrastructure

Data centre operators on Friday said that Nigeria needed a minimum of 72 centres to boost connectivity and quality of service.

At a meeting in Lagos, the operators also called for increased government investment in technology infrastructure for data centres to operate efficiently.

The operators made the call at a breakfast meeting of the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) held in Lagos.

According to them, the country’s data landscape needs more players for growth.

Mr Ezekiel Egboye, Director of Operations, Rack Centre, Lagos, said that Nigeria had inadequate technology infrastructure.

Egboye said that the country would have to invest more in technology infrastructure for the centres to be among global players.

“Data centre connectivity and service play an important role in an economy.

“There should be an enabling environment which has to do with good power supply, capable manpower and proper control, ” he said.

Mr Ike Nnamani, Managing Director, Medallion Commumicatio, also urged the Federal Government to provide an enabling environment for the growth of the centres.

“The level of local hosting is very low.

“There is need to build awareness among the public to ensure that they understand the benefits attached to hosting data locally.

“There is also a serviceable agreement that stipulates penalties when there is a breach in facility securement as most breaches are actually human,’’ he said.

Also Mr Gbenga Adegbiji, General Manager, MDXi, said that a data economy would require adequate infrastructure.

He said that the country was low in the technology readiness infrastructure because it was not utilising technology well.

Adegbiji urged journalists to create more awareness on the importance of data domiciliation in the country.

According to him, hosting of data outside exposes the country to risks.

He listed the advantages of data hosting in the country to include security, job creation and local content development.

He said that the business benefits of hosting data included eliminating the capex, providing flexibility for growth, quick deployment and optimal connectivity.

Earlier the Chairman of NITRA, Mr Emma Okonji, decried hosting of data outside the country, blaming it for insecurity and high cost.

He called for formulation of policies that would ensure hosting of data in the country.

Okonji urged data centre operators to work harder to move to the next level.