IXPN@20: Experts call for greater women’s leadership in digital infrastructure

Women have been called to take up greater roles in building and managing Nigeria’s digital infrastructure as industry leaders called for increased investment in connectivity, technical skills and inclusive leadership to prepare the country for the artificial intelligence (AI) era.

The call was made at the Women in Internet Infrastructure Forum organised by the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) as part of activities marking its 20th anniversary.

The forum, themed “Breaking the Barriers, Building the Future,” brought together students, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, young professionals and industry leaders to discuss barriers to women’s participation in technology and ways to expand opportunities in the sector.

Welcoming participants, Mrs Zubaida Rasheed, IXPN Board Member, said the forum demonstrated the organisation’s commitment to developing the next generation of professionals, particularly women who will build and manage the infrastructure powering Nigeria’s digital economy.

She noted that innovations in software, fintech and AI depend on reliable connectivity, data centres, cloud infrastructure and skilled professionals, urging more women to pursue careers in network engineering, internet peering, data centre operations, cloud computing and cybersecurity.

Established in 2006, IXPN has helped keep internet traffic within Nigeria, reducing international transit costs, improving network performance and strengthening resilience.

Barr. Ezinne Ekeghe, Acting Company Secretary at IXPN, highlighted the organisation’s contribution to Nigeria’s internet ecosystem. Citing a 2020 Internet Society report, she said IXPN’s peak traffic had grown from 300 Mbps to 125 Gbps, generating estimated annual cost savings of about $40 million.

She stressed that the country’s digital future would depend on resilient networks, advanced technical skills and wider opportunities for women and young people.

“The next chapter will be shaped not only by the networks we build, but by who gets the opportunity to build them,” she said.

In her keynote address, Women Building the Digital Infrastructure of the Future, Funke Opeke, founder and former chief executive officer of MainOne, called for sustained investment and stronger local interconnection to maximise the economic benefits of AI.

Opeke recalled that limited infrastructure and expensive connectivity constrained Nigeria’s digital development when she returned to the country in 2005. She said MainOne subsequently invested $240 million in infrastructure to improve connectivity across Nigeria and West Africa.

She noted that although Nigeria now has at least eight international submarine cables, stronger connections among telecommunications networks, data centres and digital platforms are needed to enable more Nigerian data to be processed locally.

According to her, this would help retain economic value, strengthen digital resilience and position Nigeria as a regional internet hub. She also encouraged established women in technology to mentor younger professionals and promote girls’ participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

A panel session moderated by Seyi Onasanya, Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), featured Mary Uduma, Vuyiseka Februarie, Uche Nnakenyi and Falilat Jimoh. Discussions emphasised continuous learning, practical experience, professional visibility and the adoption of digital and AI tools as pathways to successful technology careers.

The forum also featured two panel sessions on building a more inclusive internet ecosystem and understanding Generation Z’s perspectives on careers in infrastructure.

As part of the anniversary activities, IXPN introduced the IXPN@20 Certification Scholarship, offering 10 professional training opportunities to students and NYSC members to strengthen their technical skills and career prospects. Recipients were selected through eligibility and assessment criteria that included questions from the technical masterclass.

The initiative reinforces IXPN’s commitment to developing talent and expanding women’s participation in the infrastructure underpinning Nigeria’s digital economy.

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