Key points
- Galaxy Backbone has launched the G-Zone Free Internet Hotspot in Abuja.
- The initiative is part of its 20th anniversary activities.
- It is implemented in partnership with park operators in the FCT.
- Government says the project will deepen digital inclusion and access.
- Citizens are urged to protect and sustain digital infrastructure.
Main Story
The Federal Government says Galaxy Backbone’s (GBB) G-Zone Free Internet Hotspot will deepen digital inclusion and expand access to connectivity across Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Nadungu Gagare, said this on Thursday at the official inauguration of the hotspot in Abuja, as part of activities marking GBB’s 20th anniversary. The initiative is being implemented in partnership with operators of public parks in the Federal Capital Territory, including City Park and Jabi Lake Park.
Gagare called on Nigerians to take ownership of digital infrastructure in their communities to ensure sustainability and long-term use. He said communities must see government projects as shared assets that require protection and maintenance. Drawing from his experience in other ministries, he noted that citizens are often encouraged to safeguard public infrastructure such as water and electricity projects.
“When we provide infrastructure such as water supply or electrification we tell the people not to see them as Federal Government property but as their own because they are the direct beneficiaries,” he said. He described connectivity as a critical driver of modern development, noting that data access is now as important as other essential resources. “Data is like life. In today’s world, connectivity is more valuable than many natural resources because it creates opportunities for everyone,” he said.
Gagare said the initiative represents a milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, adding that internet access is now a necessity rather than a luxury. He said connectivity supports innovation, productivity, education, governance and business growth.
The government, he added, will continue to support Galaxy Backbone through policy backing, funding and institutional partnerships to expand digital access nationwide. Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone, Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, said the initiative marks the first phase of a nationwide free public hotspot programme aimed at bridging connectivity gaps. He said the project was designed to democratise access to digital services and provide affordable internet access to citizens.
Adeyanju said parks would be transformed into digital hubs where users can access educational content, conduct business, work remotely and connect to global opportunities. According to him, GBB was created 20 years ago to provide internet access at a time when connectivity was expensive and limited, and its mission remains unchanged. A park operator, Mr Imoukhuede Felix, commended the quality of service, describing the internet speed as reliable and faster than other networks he had used.
The Issues
- Unequal access to affordable internet connectivity.
- High cost of data limiting digital participation.
- Need for stronger digital infrastructure sustainability.
- Gaps in digital inclusion across public spaces.
- Reliance on private networks for internet access.
What’s Being Said
- Permanent Secretary Nadungu Gagare said: “Data is like life. In today’s world, connectivity is more valuable than many natural resources because it creates opportunities for everyone.”
- He also said: “In today’s knowledge-driven economy, access to reliable, affordable and high-speed internet connectivity is no longer a luxury but a necessity.”
- GBB Managing Director Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju said the initiative is designed to democratise access to digital services and bridge connectivity gaps.
What’s Next
- Expansion of free hotspot locations across Nigeria.
- Increased public-private partnerships in digital infrastructure.
- Greater focus on digital inclusion and access in public spaces.
- Government support to scale GBB’s connectivity programmes nationwide.
Bottom Line
The launch of free public internet hotspots in Abuja marks a step toward expanding digital access, reducing connectivity costs and strengthening Nigeria’s digital inclusion agenda.
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