Tech
MTN Dives Into AI, Cloud With $240M Lagos Data Center
Technology giant, MTN, has committed over $240 million to the construction of a new data centre in Nigeria.
Cited in Ikeja, MTN said the 9MW data centre, named after late Chief Executive Officer, Sifiso Dabengwa, will be built in two phases. Phase One is a 4.5MW capacity Tier 3 data centre, costing about $120 million, including cloud infrastructure, which is to be unveiled today, July 1, 2025.
It could be noted that data centres play a vital role in digital economies, making possible the secure storage, processing, and management of data. They also help localise content from global platforms like Meta and Google, providing resilience against disruptions such as the major internet outage in West Africa earlier in 2024, caused by undersea cable breaks.
Speaking to journalists, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Dr. Karl Toriola, noted that the centre would be Nigeria’s largest pre-fabricated modular data centre, with 96 pre-fabricated containers and a total rack capacity of about 1,500. It is fully modular in power and cooling and occupies three floors.
Toriola added that the data centre would bring significant transformation to Nigeria’s technology ecosystem, since its services will be offered on a pay-as-you-use basis and priced in Naira.
“With the data centre launch, MTN is at the forefront of Nigeria’s digital space and ready to drive Artificial Intelligence (AI) needs across the country as we expand the capacity of the data centre facility.
“In addition, the data centre will enhance Nigeria’s data sovereignty and ensure that local data are hosted in Nigeria and protected from exposure and attacks.
“MTN is working closely with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to ensure compliance with data policy,” Toriola added.
On the gains of the data centre to Nigerian businesses, both large and small businesses, Toriola noted that it would reduce the cost of doing business, as services would be paid for in Naira.
He stated that the data centre will provide cost-effective solutions that enable businesses to host their data locally, boost quality of service delivery, and comply with NDPC’s policy on data sovereignty.
Shedding more light on the cost element, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, MTN Nigeria, Lynda Saint-Nwafor, said, “It cost MTN the sum of $100 million for the Phase 1 data centre infrastructure, with an additional $20 million for the cloud infrastructure.”
Saint-Nwafor said the data centre would reduce latency and enhance customer experience in data computing and storage, especially during the onboarding process.
“The MTN Data Centre will offer a self-orchestration data platform that allows users to log into the cloud service from any part of the world to develop solutions,” she stated.
She added that MTN Cloud would offer more accessible services than those provided by hyperscalers like Google, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft Azure.
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Nigerian gospel singer, Toluwanisings is reportedly dead
His death was announced by the Convener of the Coalition of Public Interests Lawyers and Advocates, COPA, Pelumi Olajengbesi on Wednesday.
Expressing concern over the death of young Nigerians, Olajengbesi, in a post on Instagram, pleaded for God’s mercy.
Concerns mount over reports of Toluwanisings’ death
While noting that the death of Toluwanisings is not God’s plan, he wrote, “We say no to untimely death.”
Sharing the singer’s picture, Pelumi said, “My God! What a life! No, Lord! We plead for Your mercy upon Toluwanisings.
“I am deeply troubled by the deaths of young men and women. This is not God’s plan for us.”
Reacting to the sad news, comedian Woli Agba said they are still praying for a miracle.
He wrote on his page, “Please hold on. Please don’t conclude. We are trusting God. Please.”
Responding in the comments section, singer Boyebest wrote, “Yes yes yes. Yeah I have faith in God. I do. God you’ll do this one.”
This came about two hours after the rumour first surfaced on social media.
DAILY POST reports that the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death have not been revealed as of the time of this report
Nollywood actress, Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha has announced the death of her father, Leonard Ndukaife Chukwuka.
The actress disclosed this in an emotional post on Instagram on Friday, saying her father had “gone to be with the Lord.”
Chukwuka said she lost her mother 13 years ago and described the death of her father as painful, noting that she was now without either parent.
“I lost my mother 13 years ago and now that my father is gone, the thought that I have neither parent here anymore breaks my heart in a way I cannot fully explain. So na only me bayi?”
Nollywood actress, Chioma Akpotha and her late father, Leonard Chukwuka…Photo Credit: IG / chiomaakpotha
Describing her late father as “my daddy, papa’m, obara’m, my comfort,” the actress expressed gratitude for his long life and for the opportunity he had to see his children and grandchildren.
“I am so thankful you lived a long life, and I am grateful to God you saw your children and grandchildren. We had hoped you would meet your great-grandchildren too, mana nya diba!” she said.
Chukwuka also reflected on the difficulty of losing a parent, regardless of their age.
“No matter how many years we are given with a parent, we still want one more conversation, one more embrace, one more day,” she wrote.
She said she was grateful for the moments she shared with her father, particularly towards the end of his life.
Nollywood actress, Chioma Akpotha..Photo Credit: IG / chiomaakpotha
The actress said she had kept the news private while coming to terms with her grief before deciding to announce his death.
“I have held this news close while trying to understand my own grief,” she said.
She asked the public to keep her, her siblings and the entire Chukwuka family in their prayers, adding that details of her father’s funeral would be announced when the family was ready.
“Rest well, Olowo of Ikate, my father. I will always love you,” she wrote.
Chukwuka accompanied the announcement with biblical passages, including Proverbs 17:6 and Psalm 34:18, which speaks of the Lord being close to the brokenhearted.
The government has declared Monday, September 21, 2026, as a statutory public holiday to mark Founder’s Day.
The Ministry of the Interior announced the declaration in a notice dated September 14, 2026, informing the general public that the day should be observed as a public holiday throughout the country.
Founder’s Day is a day set aside to recognise the people whose efforts contributed to Ghana’s struggle for independence and the establishment of the country.
The day is closely associated with Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first Prime Minister and later President, who played a leading role in the country’s independence movement.
September 21 is also significant because it is Nkrumah’s birthday.
The holiday has, however, been the subject of changes over the years. Under the Public Holidays (Amendment) Act, 2019, August 4 was designated Founder’s Day, while September 21 was observed as Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day.
The 2025 amendment changed this arrangement, with September 21 now listed as Founder’s Day. The Ministry of the Interior’s 2026 public holiday calendar confirms September 21 as Founder’s Day and a statutory public holiday.
Founder’s Day provides an opportunity for Ghanaians to reflect on the country’s journey to independence and remember the individuals and movements that contributed to the establishment of the Ghanaian state.
It is also a day to reflect on the values, sacrifices and political struggles that shaped Ghana’s path to independence.
The holiday falls on Monday, September 21, 2026, meaning workers, students and the general public will have a statutory holiday on that day.
The public is therefore encouraged to take note of the date and observe the holiday accordingly.
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