In a exclusive interview with news men at the Lagos edition of GITEX NIGERIA 2025 exhibition ground, Smith Osemeke, MD/CEO of Unitellas, revealed how the company has been revolutionizing data management in Nigeria. “We ensure that data is being hosted in Nigeria,” Osemeke stated, emphasizing their support for the federal government’s data domestication policy.
Osemeke highlighted the significant challenges facing data storage, explaining that organizations traditionally spend “millions of dollars” on server infrastructure. “If you compare the cost of cloud and the cost of owning the infrastructure locally, you see that the cloud is cheaper,” he noted.
The Unitellas leader was candid about the industry’s trust deficit, revealing that previous cloud providers had “not done a good job” which made potential clients skeptical. To overcome this, Osemeke’s strategy involved offering “proof of concept” and a “try and buy” approach.
“We have invested huge resources to ensure that we have the storage capacity to be able to host data locally,” Osemeke explained, underscoring the company’s commitment to data sovereignty.
The company has successfully secured clients across multiple sectors, including “financial institutions like banks”, “oil and gas” companies, and various educational institutions.
Osemeke’s vision is clear: keeping Nigerian data within Nigerian borders, ensuring security, control, and national digital independence.
