At the dawn of the 21st century, Nigeria faced a deepening digital divide — marked by limited infrastructure, high costs, and dependence on foreign telecom networks. Into this gap, stepped Globacom in 2003, a Nigerian telecommunications company founded by Dr Mike Adenuga Jr. More than just a commercial venture, Glo was a declaration of ambition: that Nigeria — and Africa — could take ownership of its digital future.
From the outset, Glo set itself apart by democratising access to mobile services. It disrupted the market by slashing the cost of SIM cards, and making mobile connectivity accessible to the masses. More significantly, it introduced per-second billing — revolutionary at the time — ensuring consumers paid only for what they used. These early innovations reflected a clear philosophy: connectivity should be a universal right, not a luxury.
Glo’s vision extended far beyond affordability. It aimed to build a resilient and transformative digital backbone for Africa — most notably through the Glo-1 submarine fibre optic cable. Stretching tens of thousand kilometres from Nigeria to the United Kingdom via Ghana and Senegal, Glo-1 was the first cable of its kind fully owned by an African company. Its completion marked a defining moment in technological independence, reducing Nigeria’s reliance on foreign bandwidth providers and ushering in a new era of African-led control over digital connectivity.
The impact of Glo‑1 was transformative. By significantly improving bandwidth, reducing latency, and cutting data costs, it empowered a new generation of digital innovators. Startups, fintech firms, educators, healthcare providers, and content creators were suddenly equipped with the reliable internet they needed to thrive. Remote work became possible, cloud services more feasible, and tech ecosystems started to flourish. What had been a sluggish and constrained online environment was reimagined into a space of possibility.
This infrastructural leap also reshaped Nigeria’s image on the world stage. The country was no longer seen solely as a resource economy; it had become a promising data economy. Global tech players began to look towards Nigeria for expansion, encouraged by the dependable local infrastructure. Data centres, streaming platforms, and software development hubs soon began to flourish — each building on the digital foundation Glo had laid. In doing so, the company didn’t just broaden Nigeria’s connectivity; it helped redefine the nation’s place in the global digital economy.
But Glo’s contribution went beyond physical infrastructure. Recognising the need for resilience, the company invested heavily in expanding its fibre network nationwide, improving redundancy, and ensuring network continuity even during crises. In 2024, when much of West Africa experienced severe internet disruptions due to undersea cable damage, Glo‑1 remained operational, serving as a lifeline for banks, government services, education platforms, and healthcare systems. In a region often plagued by infrastructural fragility, Glo’s consistency stood out as a benchmark for digital reliability.
Glo’s economic footprint across Nigeria has been just as profound. As a job creator, the company has generated employment opportunities across the digital value chain — from engineers and technicians to data scientists and support personnel. More importantly, it has lowered the barriers for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to enter the digital economy. With affordable data and wider coverage, thousands of Nigerian businesses now operate online, selling goods, offering remote services, and accessing cloud-based tools previously limited to larger firms.
The company’s impact extends into the cultural and creative domains. Glo has long supported Nigeria’s booming entertainment industry — funding music concerts, Nollywood films, and traditional festivals. This backing has not only promoted local talent but has also helped preserve Nigeria’s rich cultural identity. Similarly, Glo has invested in youth development, scholarship programmes, and women’s empowerment initiatives, ensuring that the digital economy is inclusive and far-reaching. In matters of governance and policy, Glo has taken a proactive stance. It supports the Nigerian Communications Commission’s initiatives to protect critical information infrastructure and has pushed for policy reforms such as improved Right of Way access and better protection of telecom infrastructure from vandalism. These efforts show that Glo is committed to not only building networks but also strengthening the ecosystem in which those networks operate.
At the heart of all this stands Dr Mike Adenuga Jr. — a reserved yet astute business leader. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Adenuga shuns the spotlight. His leadership style is marked by quiet determination, strategic foresight, and a deeply held sense of duty. For him, wealth is not merely a symbol of success, but a responsibility to serve others. His philanthropic efforts — often conducted without publicity — span healthcare, education, and disaster relief. This approach to leadership, grounded in humility and service, has shaped Globacom’s identity as a business rooted in national development.
Adenuga’s philosophy — that prosperity is a tool for empowerment — has driven Glo’s rise as both a commercial success and social force. While he has received numerous accolades, including Nigeria’s second-highest national honour (the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON), it is the tangible impact of his company that most powerfully defines his legacy. Through Glo, he has fostered the democratisation of digital access, empowered individuals and businesses, and catalysed the emergence of a digitally aware Nigeria.
Looking ahead, as Africa prepares for a new digital frontier — defined by artificial intelligence, 5G technology, and the green digital transition — Globacom is well placed to continue leading the way. Its early emphasis on owning infrastructure, promoting inclusive connectivity, and delivering reliable service gives it a crucial advantage in this new era. More than a telecom provider, Glo has become a symbol of African digital agency — an enterprise that demonstrates the continent’s ability to solve its challenges through indigenous vision and effort.
The story of Globacom is not just a corporate success story. It is the story of Africa reclaiming control over its digital destiny. It is about local innovation meeting local needs, and about the power of purpose-driven enterprise to create transformative change. It speaks to the possibilities that arise when technology is deployed with humanity at its core.
As Globacom affirms in its vision, “The future is bright, and together we will march into a new era of boundless possibilities.” Indeed, that future, powered by African hands and innovation, is already unfolding.
