Mr Smith Osemeke is the MD/CEO of Unitellas Edge Cloud, one of the top ten cloud services providers in Africa, and currently a member of the National Information Development Technology Agency ( NITDA) Technical Working Group that was selected to review Nigeria’s cloud policy and come up with recommendations that will drive Nigeria’s Sovereign Cloud Policy.
In this chat with media writers, Osemeke speaks on the company’s journey and impact in the cloud space and the many benefits of enforcing the Domestication of Data Sovereignty in Nigeria by the federal government. Excerpt:
During the conversation, Osemeke affirms that as Nigeria accelerates its journey toward a digitally transformed economy, a key enabler of this vision is —Unitellas Edge Cloud.
He laid out a compelling case for why edge cloud technology is not just the future, but a present necessity for Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
Driving Innovation with Edge Cloud, he explained: “Traditional public cloud services—hosted in faraway data centres in Europe or the United States—introduce significant latency.
This makes them unsuitable for real-time applications such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), which require instantaneous data processing.
He disclosed that to solve this, Unitellas has partnered with Zadara, a leading U.S.-based edge cloud provider, to deploy edge cloud infrastructure directly within Nigeria.
” This local presence ensures ultra-low latency and high-volume data processing, which is especially critical in sectors like oil and gas, where real-time monitoring of drilling operations and fluid composition is essential and FSI where millions of banking transactions need to be processed instantaneously,” he said.
Shedding light on the company’s strategic government partnerships, Osemeke said that Unitellas plays a pivotal role in Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
He explained: “In collaboration with Galaxy Backbone, under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, the company supports the 1Government Cloud initiative.
“I cannot be here in Nigeria, and my information is stored outside. The service providers there have access to your data, not you. It can be compromised,” Osemeke warned.
This platform is central to digitalising over 700 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) through the Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS).
This cloud infrastructure also aligns with the national mandates for Nigeria’s Data Protection and Sovereignty, ensuring that sensitive government data remains within national borders.”
Fielding a question on enhancing National Security and Data Sovereignty, Osemeke emphasized that data domestication is not just an economic issue—it’s a matter of national security.
“With infrastructure hosted locally, Unitellas ensures compliance with Nigerian regulations, enhances cybersecurity, and reduces exposure to foreign surveillance and cyber threats.
“I cannot be here in Nigeria, and my information is stored outside. The service providers there have access to your data, not you. It can be compromised,” Osemeke warned.
He added that the Security Operations Center (SOC) of the platform plays a pivotal role in safeguarding digital infrastructure by actively monitoring and neutralizing millions of cyber threats daily.”
These threats often originate from a wide array of international sources, underscoring the importance of a robust and responsive cybersecurity framework.
By hosting data locally, Unitellas enhances its ability to implement IP and region-based access restrictions, enabling more precise control over who can access sensitive information.
This localized approach also allows for real-time threat response, ensuring that potential breaches are addressed immediately, thereby minimizing risk.
Furthermore, local data hosting grants full sovereignty over national data assets, a critical factor in maintaining data integrity and compliance with national regulations.”
In his comments on the economic and operational impact, Osemeke responded that beyond the security advantages, the economic and operational impacts of local cloud hosting are profound.
” One of the most significant benefits is cost savings. By allowing clients to pay in naira, Unitellas eliminates the financial strain associated with foreign exchange rates, making cloud services more accessible and affordable for Nigerian businesses.
Additionally, local hosting translates into improved performance. With data centres situated within the country, users experience faster and more reliable service delivery, which is essential for maintaining business continuity and customer satisfaction.
The development of local infrastructure also contributes to broader socio-economic goals.
As Unitellas expands its operations, it creates employment opportunities and fosters the development of technical skills within the local workforce.
This not only supports individual livelihoods but also strengthens the national economy by building a more resilient and capable tech ecosystem.
“We are saving the economy a lot by having this cloud situated here in Nigeria,” noted.
He further highlights the tangible benefits of local cloud infrastructure and said that it encapsulates the strategic value of investing in homegrown digital solutions—solutions that not only enhance security and efficiency but also drive economic growth and national self-reliance.
Real-World Applications in Oil & Gas
Unitellas’ edge cloud is already enabling real-time monitoring of crude oil flow, mixture concentration, and drilling data.
While not yet formally engaged by regulatory bodies, the company is prepared to deliver sensor-driven insights that can help combat oil theft and improve operational transparency.
Competitive Edge in the Cloud Market
Unlike traditional cloud providers that rely on heavy capital investments, Unitellas operates a cloud-native, operational cost model.
Through strategic partnerships and colocation with major data centre providers, services are offered on a subscription basis, allowing clients to pay only for what they use.
The platform also features auto-scaling capabilities, enabling customers to dynamically adjust their resource usage based on demand. This ensures optimal performance and significant cost savings.
Overcoming Infrastructure Challenges
Scepticism about local infrastructure—especially around power and cooling—has been a hurdle.
However, Unitellas has addressed this by partnering with carrier-neutral data centres to ensure fair marketplace exposure, no conflict of interest, and referral opportunities from the data centre itself.
These facilities meet global uptime standards and are part of NITDA’s ongoing review to establish national benchmarks for data centre operations.
Policy Alignment and National Strategy
Unitellas is playing a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s digital future through its active involvement in the development of the Sovereign Cloud Policy, under the auspices of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
As a member of NITDA’s technical working group, Unitellas is contributing its expertise to a policy framework designed to transform Nigeria’s cloud ecosystem.
The Sovereign Cloud Policy is a strategic initiative aimed at attracting global cloud investments, ensuring that data generated within Nigeria remains within its borders, curbing capital flight, and safeguarding the nation’s critical data assets.
This policy not only supports national security and economic growth but also positions Nigeria as a competitive player in the global digital economy.
Why Choose Unitellas?
Unitellas stands out as a preferred partner in this transformative journey due to its robust and forward-thinking technological foundation.
Built on a cloud-native architecture, Unitellas offers solutions that are inherently scalable, resilient, and optimized for modern digital demands. Its services are trusted by various government institutions, a testament to its reliability and alignment with public sector standards.
Moreover, Unitellas delivers real-time, low-latency performance, ensuring seamless user experiences across applications and services. Its offerings are not only cost-effective but also designed to scale with the evolving needs of clients, making it an ideal choice for both public and private sector organizations.
Most importantly, Unitellas’ strategic alignment with Nigeria’s national digital policies underscores its commitment to supporting the country’s vision for a secure, sovereign, and prosperous digital future.”
As Nigeria embraces a digital future, Unitellas Edge Cloud proves that homegrown solutions aren’t just possible—they’re already here built by Nigerians, for Nigerians. Now is the time to believe, build, and boldly shape the future we deserve.”
