Telecom
Galaxy Backbone, KOICA Deepen Collaboration to Strengthen Government to Citizen Engagement Through Government Service Portal
Galaxy Backbone, in collaboration with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), yesterday hosted a high-level engagement workshop with the 12 key government agencies that will drive the first phase of this project.
This milestone marks a significant step forward in Nigeria’s ongoing digital transformation efforts, with the goal of improving Government-to-Citizen (G2C) interactions and enabling easier access to government services.
The Government Service Portal is a unified digital platform designed to enhance the delivery of public services by providing a seamless, secure, and accessible portal where citizens can interact with multiple government agencies.
Through this portal, citizens can access critical services such as NIN Registration, Immigration Services, healthcare services, and more—with little or no need to visit to physical offices.
Galaxy Backbone, a leading digital infrastructure and services provider for the Nigerian public sector, has played a pivotal role in championing e-government and in designing and deploying the GSP.
Through its partnership with KOICA, Galaxy Backbone has ensured that the platform leverages the latest technologies, prioritizing user experience, accessibility, and cybersecurity. KOICA has provided technical expertise, capacity-building support, and funding for the development of the portal, underscoring the shared commitment to Nigeria’s e-government strategy.
Key Highlights of the Government Service Portal:
- Accelerating Digital Transformation: The GSP supports the Federal Government’s commitment to digitize public services, enabling more efficient governance and ensuring that all Nigerians, regardless of location, can access essential services.
- Improving Government-to-Citizen Engagement: By reducing the need for face-to-face interactions and offering real-time service tracking, the portal fosters a more transparent and responsive government, enhancing citizens’ trust in public institutions.
- Secure and Accessible Services: The GSP is designed with robust cybersecurity features, ensuring that citizens’ data remains protected. It is also mobile-friendly and accessible in multiple languages, making it easy for citizens from all parts of Nigeria to interact with government services online.
- KOICA’s Role: KOICA has provided strategic support, leveraging its expertise in e-governance and technology-driven public service delivery. KOICA’s involvement ensures that the GSP aligns with international best practices and benefits from the lessons learned in similar successful projects globally.
Engagement Workshop with 12 Pilot Agencies:
The engagement workshop, which took place today, brought together senior officials from 12 pilot government agencies, including FMCIDE, NIMC, SMEDAN, NCC, NIPOST, FRSC, NAFDAC, NYSC, NPF, NIS, BPP and NEPC.
The goal of the workshop was to familiarize these agencies with the GSP’s features, capabilities, and integration process, and to ensure seamless service delivery as the portal goes live.
Speaking at the workshop, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, who represented the Honourable Minister, highlighted the significance of this project and the need deepened collaboration and deeper citizen engagement.
‘The Government Service Portal has the potential to change lives and I believe that through and efficient and effective collaboration we will achieve a lot for our nation’. Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanyu, Managing Director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone, emphasized the significance of this initiative in transforming how government services are delivered to Nigerians.
He noted: “The Government Service Portal is a testament to Nigeria’s dedication to embracing digitalisation for improved governance. Galaxy Backbone is proud to lead this initiative, working alongside KOICA to make public services more efficient, transparent, and accessible to all. With the engagement of these pilot agencies, we are taking a major step toward a fully digitized public service ecosystem that will benefit every Nigerian citizen.”
From KOICA’s side, the Country Director, Mr. Sunjil SON, expressed the agency’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s journey toward an inclusive digital economy, stating: “KOICA is delighted to partner with Galaxy Backbone and the Government of Nigeria in delivering a platform that will change how citizens interact with their government. This initiative aligns with our broader mission of promoting sustainable development through technology and innovation.”
Looking Ahead:
The successful integration of the 12 pilot agencies is a precursor to a broader rollout of the GSP across all government ministries, departments, and agencies. This initiative will serve as the backbone of Nigeria’s e-government strategy, reducing delays, improving transparency, and empowering citizens to engage more effectively with their government.
MTN Group has committed $2 billion to the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) Partner2Connect initiative, bringing the total funds pledged to $73 billion.
The announcement was made during the ongoing Mobile World Congress (MWC 2025) in Barcelona, Spain.
Partner2Connect, spearheaded by the ITU, is a global initiative aimed at enhancing universal digital access, strengthening infrastructure, and fostering meaningful connectivity.
Doreen Bogdan-Martin, secretary-general, ITU, highlighted the significance of these commitments, stating, “Expansive digital infrastructure highlights how much humanity values and depends on meaningful connectivity. These new pledges bring us closer to delivering sustainable digital transformation to everyone, everywhere.”
According to the ITU, MTN Group has shown a strong commitment to investing in Africa’s digital future, spending approximately $2 billion annually on capital expenditures across its markets over the past five years.
Similar investments are planned over the next five years, focusing on expanding and improving voice and data networks to bolster connectivity and drive digital inclusion.
The ITU also announced a $2 billion pledge from Globalstar to expand its low-Earth orbit satellite network, providing seamless, energy-efficient connectivity solutions for remote regions and underserved areas.
These efforts will include direct-to-device (D2D) and IoT connectivity solutions.
As ITU celebrates its 160th anniversary, the UN agency has emphasised its dedication to bridging the global digital divide.
An estimated 2.6 billion people worldwide remain offline, according to ITU data.
The agency has called for $100 billion in commitments by 2026 to fund projects supporting global digital transformation, particularly in hard-to-reach communities.
With over 1,000 pledges spanning 147 countries, Partner2Connect is working toward ITU’s vision of a digitally connected and inclusive future.
Current estimates suggest $1.6 trillion is required for global connectivity hardware alone, with the majority of resources needed in developing nations.
The funds pledged by MTN Group and other partners are set to strengthen digital infrastructure, enhance connectivity in underserved areas, and accelerate digital innovations to support economic and social growth worldwide.
Telegram has rolled out a new feature aimed at enhancing user safety by flagging messages from unknown contacts.
When users receive messages from individuals outside their contact list for the first time, a detailed information page now appears.
This page includes details such as the sender’s country (determined by their phone number), their joining date on Telegram, any shared groups, and whether their account is verified.
The goal is to help users identify potential scams and impersonators more effectively.
In addition, Telegram now provides insight into when the sender last updated their username or profile picture, offering another way to detect compromised or hacked accounts.
The company has emphasised its commitment to transparency, promising “clear indicators” to distinguish official accounts, third-party verified profiles, and regular users.
Telegram Premium subscribers can now charge fees for messages received from users outside their contact list, a feature designed to reduce spam while allowing group administrators to monetise their communities.
Dubbed “Star Messages,” this new option enables users to set customisable fees for unsolicited messages.
The feature also provides flexibility, allowing certain users or members of specific groups to send messages for free.
Telegram’s Star Messages come with convenient options, such as single-tap refunds for payments, ensuring a seamless user experience.
By offering advanced controls and monetisation opportunities, the platform continues to prioritise user safety and satisfaction.
With these updates, Telegram strengthens its position as a platform focused on both user protection and innovative monetisation tools.
MTN Nigeria has strengthened its commitment to grassroots sports development following a visit to Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, at the Government House in Benin City on March 5.
The visit coincided with the upcoming launch of Season 3 of MTN Champs, an athletics competition that will commence in Edo State from March 13 to 15.
The initiative highlights MTN’s dedication to nurturing young athletic talent and aligns seamlessly with Edo State’s focus on sports development.
Idowu Adesokan, General Manager of Consumer Marketing at MTN Nigeria, expressed appreciation for Edo State’s contributions to previous editions of MTN Champs and emphasized the importance of collaboration to ensure this season’s success.
Governor Okpebholo reciprocated by pledging full logistical and administrative support to make the event impactful.
Season 3 of MTN Champs is set to engage thousands of secondary school students across Nigeria, kicking off in Edo State before moving to Lagos and Uyo in subsequent weeks.
This initiative reflects MTN Nigeria’s broader vision of fostering youth empowerment and revitalizing athletics at the grassroots level.
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