Data centre operators on Friday said that Nigeria needed a minimum of 72 centres to boost connectivity and quality of service.

At a meeting in Lagos,  the operators  also called for increased  government investment in technology  infrastructure  for data centres to operate efficiently.

The operators  made the call at  a breakfast meeting of the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) held in Lagos.

According to them, the country’s  data landscape needs more players for growth.

Mr Ezekiel Egboye, Director of Operations, Rack Centre, Lagos,  said that Nigeria had inadequate technology  infrastructure.

Egboye said that the country would have to invest more in technology infrastructure for the centres to be among global players.

“Data centre connectivity and service play an important role in an economy.

“There should be an enabling environment which has to do with good power supply, capable manpower and proper  control, ” he said.

Mr Ike Nnamani, Managing Director, Medallion Communication, also urged the Federal Government to provide an enabling environment  for the growth of the centres.

“The level of local hosting is very low.

“There is need to build awareness among the public to ensure that they understand the benefits attached to hosting data locally.

“There is also a serviceable agreement that stipulates penalties when there is a breach in facility securement as most breaches are actually human,’’ he said.

Also Mr Gbenga Adegbiji, General Manager, MDXi, said that a data economy would require  adequate  infrastructure.

He said that the country was low in the technology readiness infrastructure because it was not utilising technology well.

Adegbiji  urged journalists to create more  awareness on the importance of data domiciliation in the country.

According to him, hosting of data outside exposes the country to risks.

He listed the advantages  of data hosting in the country to include  security, job creation and local content  development.

He said that the business benefits of hosting data included eliminating the capex, providing flexibility for growth, quick deployment and  optimal connectivity.

Earlier the Chairman of NITRA, Mr Emma Okonji, decried  hosting of data outside the country, blaming it for insecurity and high cost.

He called for formulation of  policies that would ensure hosting of data in the country.

Okonji urged data centre operators to work  harder  to move to the next level.