Sanwo-Olu, Tijani, others perform groundbreaking of Airtel NXTRA Data Centre in Lagos

…Data Centre to provide 250 Jobs for Nigerians

Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani joined a host of other guests on Tuesday for the ground-breaking ceremony of Airtel NXTRA Data Centre in Lagos.

This is as the leading telecommunications network, also revealed that the Data Center will also provide about 250 permanent jobs for Nigerians.

This was revealed during the groundbreaking ceremony for its state-of-the-art NXtra Data Center at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, on Tuesday, 12th March, 2024.

Speaking during the event, Group Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Africa, Segun Ogunsanya, said the Nxtra project marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey and is a cornerstone of the organization’s growth strategy, with a particular focus on Nigeria, its largest market.

“We strongly believe that the establishment of NXtra Data Centres will enhance data sovereignty, security, and preservation within the continent, reflecting our commitment to make Nigeria a major hub for access to digital services as we propel Africa towards a sustainable and inclusive digital age,” he said.

Mr Ogunsanya added that: “This mega project will provide over 1,000 jobs. And more significantly, once deployed and at capacity, it will create over 250 permanent jobs for Nigerians whilst supporting companies in the manufacturing, financial services, health care as they move their data and computing into third party data centers like ours. Ultimately, we have to store data and content closer to where it is being consumed.”

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu commended Airtel for its decision to locate NXtra in the state, describing the collaboration between Airtel Africa and the Lagos State government as a step towards achieving a transformative digital leap for Nigeria.

In his words, “The NXtra Frontier is not merely the construction of a facility, but the dawn of a new era in data control, security, and preservation throughout Africa. Airtel’s commitment to the highest standards in data management, technological innovation, and extensive network infrastructure is truly commendable. With a total capacity of 180 MW distributed across 13 major Data Centres and over 48 Edge Data Centres, NXtra is poised to redefine data storage and accessibility in Africa.”

Also speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony, Dr Bosun Tijani extolled the revolutionary opportunities ahead for business and the economy in a future driven by connectivity via data centers such as NXtra and powered by technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) that the future of business.

“Data is a key driver in our economy. Not only do we need to connect our people, we also must invest in the digital economy, and through the investment that companies like Airtel have made in our economy, we are fully able to participate in the digital economy.”

As part of its expansion strategy, Airtel plans to leverage the strategic location of the NXtra Data Center to serve a diverse clientele, including private enterprises, government agencies, and other telecom carriers.  By offering a comprehensive suite of colocation, hosting, and managed services, Airtel aims to empower organisations to thrive in an increasingly digital-centric landscape.

According to Airtel, the construction of the NXtra Data Centre is scheduled for completion within 18 to 24 months, with operations slated to commence shortly thereafter.

The event also had in attendance the Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Olatubosun Alake; his counterpart from the Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment Ministry, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem; created a platform for stakeholders in government and the private sector to explore the several economic prospects of a the NXtra Data Center, which is set to be the largest on the continent.