The Federal Government has unveiled an 8.3 petabyte national data centre designed to host and secure critical national databases, in a major step toward enhancing Nigeria’s digital identity and immigration infrastructure.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the development during the Mid-Tenure/2025 Sectoral Performance Retreat of the Ministry and its agencies yesterday.
He said the new data centre would serve as the backbone for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and other key institutions.
According to Tunji-Ojo, the facility is equipped to drastically improve the efficiency, reliability, and cybersecurity of national data systems.
“This project will ensure seamless integration, reduce downtime, and provide Nigerians with secure, technology-driven services that meet global standards,” the minister said.
The move aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes the modernization of public services through technology and innovation.
In addition to the data centre, the minister unveiled a new infrastructure security unit code-named “Power Rangers”, tasked with protecting Nigeria’s critical national assets. Operating under the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the specialised unit will safeguard key infrastructure such as power transmission lines, telecom facilities, oil pipelines, and rail networks.
The “Power Rangers” will be equipped with modern surveillance tools, drones, and rapid-response vehicles to prevent sabotage and vandalism.
“Our national assets and data are the foundation of our sovereignty and growth. By protecting them, we are protecting the future of Nigeria,” Tunji-Ojo said.
The minister also disclosed plans to reform the Fire Service through public-private partnerships, allowing licensed private firms to complement government efforts in emergency response. He said the reform would modernize equipment and expand rapid-response capabilities across the country.
On correctional reforms, Tunji-Ojo revealed that 4,032 inmates have been released from various custodial centres following interventions by private sector actors who paid fines and provided legal support for non-violent offenders.
“Our prisons should not be warehouses of wasted talent; they must be centres of reform and hope,” he said.
The initiatives collectively reflect a broader push by the Interior Ministry to digitize governance, safeguard national infrastructure, and promote inclusive reforms in line with the administration’s digital transformation goals.
COURTESY: prnigeria
