IXPN@20 Grand Gala Dinner and Excellence and Legacy Awards recognise the institutions and individuals whose contributions shaped Internet interconnection in Nigeria

The Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria celebrated its 20th anniversary at the IXPN@20 Grand Gala Dinner and Excellence and Legacy Awards, held in Lagos on Friday, 30 October 2026.

The event brought together pioneers, regulators, Internet service providers, telecommunications operators, content networks, data centre companies, technical professionals, former board members, staff, partners and other stakeholders to celebrate two decades of strengthening Internet interconnection and supporting the growth of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. Distinguished guests in attendance include former Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Chairman, MTN Nigeria, Dr Ernest Ndukwe; current Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, represented by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr. Sunday Abraham Oshadami; former Executive Commissioner of the NCC, Dr. Bashir Gwandu; Chairman, Board of Directors IXPN, Elder (Chief) Chima Uzoma Onyekwere, OON; among many others.

Established in 2006, IXPN provides a neutral platform through which participating networks exchange Internet traffic directly. Over the past 20 years, the Exchange has helped encourage the localisation of Internet traffic, reduce latency, improve network performance and strengthen the resilience of Nigeria’s Internet infrastructure.

Speaking at the celebration, Muhammed Rudman, Chief Executive Officer of IXPN, said the anniversary was an opportunity to recognise the people and institutions behind the Exchange’s development.

“IXPN@20 is more than a celebration of an organisation. It is an opportunity to recognise the people, institutions and partnerships that have contributed to the development of Internet interconnection in Nigeria over the past two decades,” Rudman said.

“From a relatively small interconnection initiative in 2006, IXPN has grown into an important component of Nigeria’s Internet infrastructure. This anniversary allows us to reflect on that journey, recognise those who helped make it possible, and focus on the work still ahead as Nigeria’s digital economy continues to expand.”

Excellence and Legacy Awards

A major highlight of the celebration was the presentation of the IXPN@20 Excellence and Legacy Awards, which honoured organisations and individuals whose vision, leadership, technical expertise, advocacy and sustained support contributed to IXPN’s establishment, development and impact.

The IXPN Founding Members Legacy Award recognised Cyberspace Ltd, Netcom Africa Ltd, 21st Century Technologies Ltd, Medallion/Digital Realty Ltd and Swift Networks Ltd. These pioneering organisations joined IXPN during its formative years and maintained their participation in the Exchange, helping to establish the foundation for Nigeria’s Internet interconnection ecosystem.

Google and Meta received the Pioneer Content Network Award for their early participation at IXPN and their contributions to localising digital content and traffic, reducing latency and improving Internet performance and user experience in Nigeria.

The Strategic Data Centre Partnership Award was presented to Medallion/Digital Realty Ltd, Rack Centre Ltd, MainOne/Equinix Ltd, Interconnect Clearing House Ltd, Africa Data Centres and Open Access Data Centres. The award recognised their infrastructure, hosting capabilities and strategic partnerships, which have supported IXPN’s expansion and strengthened the resilience of Nigeria’s interconnection ecosystem.

The Distinguished Contribution to Internet Exchange Development Award honoured Dr Ernest Ndukwe, Dr Bashir Gwandu, Prof Cleopas Angaye, Ike Nnamani, Seni Williams, Prince Henry Iseghohi, Ayotunde Coker and Ben Ryall. They were recognised for their leadership, technical expertise, advocacy, institution-building and enduring contributions to the development of IXPN and Internet interconnection in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Communications Commission and the National Information Technology Development Agency received the Government and Regulatory Champion Award. The institutions were recognised for their leadership, enabling policies and regulatory support for the establishment and sustained development of IXPN and Nigeria’s digital infrastructure ecosystem.

The Distinguished Contribution to Internet Journalism Award honoured media professionals whose reporting and analysis have documented the growth of Nigeria’s Internet industry and deepened public understanding of the country’s digital infrastructure. Recipients were Aaron Ukodie, Publisher of eWorld; Shina Badaru, Publisher of Technology Times; Bayero Agabi, Founder of Digivation Network; Emmanuel Okonji, ICT Editor at ThisDay Newspaper; Adeyemi Adepetun, ICT Editor at The Guardian; Ken Nwogbo, Founder of Nigeria CommunicationsWeek; Chikeme Onwuegbuchi, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Nigeria CommunicationsWeek; Segun Oruame, Founder of ITEdge Africa; Don Pedro Aganbi, Founder of Titans of Tech; and Remmy Nweke, Founder of ITRealms.

Documenting the IXPN Journey

The gala also featured the IXPN@20 anniversary documentary, which traced the Exchange’s development through the experiences of individuals and institutions that contributed to its journey.

The documentary explored IXPN’s beginnings, the challenges of establishing local Internet interconnection, the role of its founding members, the arrival of major content networks, the contribution of data-centre partners, the growth of IXPN’s network and partnerships, and its wider impact on Nigeria’s Internet ecosystem.

IXPN also acknowledged the dedication of its board, management and staff, past and present, whose technical expertise, professionalism and service have sustained the Exchange throughout its 20-year history.

Looking to the Next 20 Years

As Internet usage, cloud computing, streaming, artificial intelligence, financial technology and other digital services continue to expand, IXPN believes that efficient local interconnection and resilient digital infrastructure will become even more important to Nigeria’s economy.

“The first 20 years were about establishing the Exchange, building trust among networks and demonstrating the value of local interconnection,” Rudman added. “The next 20 years must be about extending that value even further—strengthening resilience, expanding interconnection, bringing more networks and institutions into the ecosystem, and ensuring that Nigeria is well positioned for the next phase of the digital economy.”

IXPN thanked its founding members, regulators, partners, award recipients, sponsors, guests, board members, staff and the wider Internet community for contributing to the success of the anniversary celebration and to the Exchange’s development over the past two decades.

About the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria

The Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria is a neutral Internet interconnection platform that enables participating networks to exchange Internet traffic directly.

By facilitating the local exchange of traffic among Internet service providers, telecommunications operators, content providers, data centres and other network operators, IXPN supports more efficient connectivity, reduced latency, improved network resilience and the continued growth of Nigeria’s Internet ecosystem.