Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, Chief Executive Officer of Digital Realty Nigeria, says the country currently has no data centres designed for core Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications despite the presence of over 300 AI firms operating locally.
Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani
Nnamani made the disclosure at the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) Breakfast with CEOs in Lagos, stressing that AI is driving the next phase of digital evolution but Nigeria’s facilities remain unprepared for its intensive demands.
“There’s no data centre in Nigeria that is AI ready. None,” he said, noting that while cloud services exist, core AI infrastructure is absent, forcing local companies to rely on foreign resources.
He projected that AI-enabled data centres could emerge in two to three years through global players such as Digital Realty, citing its South African subsidiary, Teraco, which operates Africa’s largest facility.
He explained that one Teraco site exceeds the combined capacity of all Nigerian data centres and has already implemented liquid-cooled AI-ready infrastructure.
On national capacity, Nnamani revealed that Nigeria lags behind cities such as Toronto, Cape Town and London, with most facilities concentrated in Lagos. He said active IT loads in Nigeria are often just one to two megawatts despite larger design claims.
According to him, true metrics should be based on “active IT load” figures, not potential capacity. He estimated construction costs at between 10 and 15 million dollars per megawatt, noting that private firms rarely disclose totals.
Current installed capacity stands at 56.1 megawatts in 2025, projected to reach 218 megawatts by 2030, but distribution remains skewed.
Nnamani warned that the imbalance risks latency, uptime failures and poor user experience for non-Lagos users due to fibre vulnerabilities.
He advocated at least two data centres per state capital — about 72 to 74 nationwide — alongside transmission networks and content growth to support digital economy goals.
He described power shortages as opportunities, despite dedicated plants costing about one million dollars per megawatt.
Highlighting Digital Realty’s milestones since acquiring Medallion Communications in 2021 and rebranding in 2023, Nnamani said the company had invested in roads and power feeds for the 2Africa submarine cable site in Lekki.
He added that the project had created jobs, training opportunities and housing growth in the area, with hyper-scale AI facilities planned ahead.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, Chairman, Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) has lauded Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani for his transformative contributions to Nigeria’s ICT sector, describing him as a beacon of innovation and digital excellence.
He praised Nnamani’s pioneering work in data center infrastructure, noting that his initiatives have significantly elevated the country’s technological framework.
Onwuegbuchi highlighted Nnamani’s recent recognition as Data Center Leader of the Year, calling it a testament to his unwavering commitment to advancing Nigeria’s digital economy.
Nnamani, who served as the keynote guest at the event, delivered a pre-recorded video presentation before engaging participants in a dynamic question-and-answer session.
His appearance, according to Onwuegbuchi, is set to become an annual tradition, underscoring his dedication to mentoring and guiding the ICT community.
“This is the kind of leadership that inspires confidence in Nigeria’s digital future,” Onwuegbuchi remarked, urging stakeholders to emulate Nnamani’s innovative spirit and commitment to excellence.
The event marked another milestone in NITRA’s ongoing efforts to foster collaboration and strategic development among ICT professionals nationwide, reinforcing the association’s role as a catalyst for growth in Nigeria’s technology ecosystem.
