West Africa’s leading connectivity and data centre solutions provider, MainOne, has pledged its commitment to boost information and communications technology (ICT) in Ogun State with a data centre project in Sagamu. During a recent courtesy visit of the company’s Board and Management to the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and his cabinet and the company’s Chairman, Fola Adeola, disclosed MainOne’s plans to make investments that will boost ICT development in the state.
Affirming the company’s commitment to the digital transformation of Nigeria, Mr Adeola highlighted the untapped investment opportunities in the country, noting that ICT infrastructure investments will support rapid technology proliferation in the state. “Given its market and reputation as a haven for manufacturing and other enterprises, growth potential, investment-friendly disposition and proximity to Lagos State, Ogun State has the potential to become one of the major hubs of industrialisation in Nigeria. Technology has a major role to play in that evolution. The focus of the state government on infrastructural development is a welcome development and technology will be critical to achieve the full potential for economic development,” Mr Adeola said.
In his comments, the governor highlighted the investor-friendly posture of his administration, and its focus to ‘rebuild the gateway state’, which is already attracting a significant portion of new FDI investments into Nigeria to the state. “We believe that infrastructure development is a vital component for Ogun State’s economic growth and have continued to invest in new road and rail infrastructure within the state, which is already transforming the ease of doing business. In addition, Ogun State has a network of 21 tertiary institutions, which guarantees employers a capable indigenous workforce,” he said.
Corroborating these statements, the Chief Executive Officer of MainOne, Funke Opeke explained, “As a pioneering broadband company in Nigeria, we are excited to partner with Ogun State by creating in Sagamu a technology hub, capable of attracting local and international technology companies to do business in the state. This is similar to what we have achieved in Lagos, where we transformed the Yaba area into Nigeria’s undisputed ‘Silicon Valley’ that is now attracting international attention and investments. Yaba is home to a significant number of Nigeria’s tech hubs and start-up community and has created thousands of direct jobs and tens of thousands of indirect jobs, by stimulation of the ISP, eCommerce and ICT sectors.”
MainOne hopes to start building its data centre in Sagamu, Ogun State, later this year. The facility, which is based in the Flowergate Industrial Park, is designed to provide services to the burgeoning base of industry in Ogun State. It will also serve as a backup for businesses in Lagos who will enjoy easy access through the Lagos-Ibadan expressway once repairs are complete.
