Following the announcement by the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company PLC (BDIC) that it will be establishing a Tier III data center in Benue State, Nigeria’s Tier III data center footprint will increase to 9. Nigeria currently has 8 Tier III data centers, owned by 21st Century, Galaxy Backbone, Guaranty Trust Bank, MainOne’s MDXI, MTN, Open Access Data Center, and Rack Centre. The country also has one Tier III data center and four Tier 4 facilities.
The new data center will be built by the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company in partnership with Africa Data Centres and UniCloud Africa Ltd; two firms specializing in deploying entirely local cloud solutions at the West African Lagos EKO Atlantic City.
While the Tier III standard data center will be sited in Makurdi, Benue State, it will have a disaster recovery site in Abuja. This facility will be the second of its kind in northern Nigeria, after Galaxy Backbone, and will mark a significant advancement in the region’s digital infrastructure.
The State’s Deputy Governor, Sam Ode, led the company’s project implementation committee and finalized the agreement with Africa Data Centres and Uni Cloud Africa Ltd.
A statement released by project consultant Mr. Terwase Gbande highlighted that the BDIC data center aims to become a pivotal asset in Benue’s digital economy. “The project’s objectives include enhancing the efficiency of the digital ecosystem, fortifying state data security, fostering new skill development, and generating employment opportunities for Benue’s youth,” the statement read. It emphasized that the initiative aligns with Governor Hyacinth Alia’s vision to empower youth and stimulate economic prosperity.
Africa Data Centres and Uni Cloud Africa Ltd are expected to provide essential technical expertise to complete the BDIC data center within six months. They will establish comprehensive support services, implement robust data security networks, install backup power systems, and ensure complete fiber connectivity for disaster recovery. Additionally, they will conduct training programs for Benue youth and BDIC staff to proficiently manage the data center.
