LAGOS, Nigeria — The Chief Executive Officer of Unitellas Edge Cloud, Smith Osemeke, has emphasized the urgent need for data domestication to shield Nigeria’s digital infrastructure from foreign surveillance, cyberattacks, and the erosion of national sovereignty.
Osemeke made this assertion while highlighting the strategic benefits of locally hosted edge cloud solutions, warning that continued reliance on foreign-based public cloud platforms exposes the country’s sensitive data to external manipulation and breaches.
“Hosting sensitive national data outside Nigeria puts both public and private institutions at risk. Data domestication ensures we retain full control over access, usage, and security,” Osemeke said.
Edge Cloud vs Traditional Cloud
According to Osemeke, edge cloud platforms hosted within Nigeria, such as Unitellas’, offer several advantages over traditional foreign-hosted public cloud services. These include:
Reduced latency for real-time processing,
Compliance with Nigeria’s data protection regulations, and
Enhanced performance for sectors like oil and gas, banking, and national security.
He noted that Unitellas, through a strategic partnership with U.S.-based edge cloud provider Zadara, has successfully deployed cloud infrastructure across Nigeria. This infrastructure currently supports millions of secure daily transactions, particularly in finance and energy, where data integrity is paramount.
Boosting Cybersecurity and Compliance
Osemeke also revealed that Unitellas operates a robust Security Operations Center (SOC) that monitors and neutralizes cyber threats — both foreign and domestic — in real time.
“Hosting data locally gives us control over who can access it, when, and under what conditions. That level of precision and responsiveness is not achievable with foreign-hosted platforms,” he added.
Supporting Government Digital Transformation
He noted that Unitellas has played a pivotal role in the Federal Government’s 1Government Cloud initiative, in partnership with Galaxy Backbone. This initiative has digitally empowered over 700 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), aligning with the Nigeria Data Protection Act and national digital economy goals.
Economic Benefits of Local Cloud Services
Beyond national security, Osemeke highlighted the economic advantages of local cloud infrastructure. Unitellas offers subscription-based services priced in naira, helping Nigerian businesses avoid the volatility of foreign exchange rates and making advanced cloud computing more affordable and accessible.
“Our naira-denominated model eliminates the FX burden and ensures that even small and medium businesses can access world-class cloud services without leaving Nigeria,” he said.
With the rising demand for secure, low-latency, and regulation-compliant digital infrastructure, Osemeke urged both government and private organisations to prioritise data residency as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s digital future.
