Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to advancing Nigeria’s digital economy, positioning it as a catalyst for youth empowerment and job creation.
In a statement on Monday, Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga disclosed that Tinubu made this pledge while receiving a strategic report titled Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment, and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities. The document, presented by senior executive course 46 participants from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, highlights critical reforms needed to propel Nigeria’s digital transformation.
During the event in Abuja, Tinubu underscored his administration’s priority in equipping young Nigerians with digital skills and fostering innovation. “At the heart of our government’s agenda is youth empowerment,” he affirmed. “We must all collaborate to achieve this vision.” He commended the participants’ extensive research and pledged to leverage NIPSS as a think tank for policy formulation.
The report’s contributors urged the federal government to fast-track the enactment of the Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill 2024, which would streamline Nigeria’s digital transformation. Additionally, they recommended that states eliminate right-of-way fees to accelerate telecommunications infrastructure deployment.
A key proposal was for Tinubu to issue an executive order mandating all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to migrate to the onegov.ng portal, enhancing governmental efficiency and digital integration. The participants also introduced a Quintuple-Helix Model aimed at fostering collaboration among academia, industry, government, civil society, and the technology sector to drive digital progress.
The recommendations further emphasized the need for sustainable funding for the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme and a nationwide transition from Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) to the more advanced Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). The report also suggested establishing digital health innovation hubs and developing preventive maintenance applications for Nigeria’s automotive sector.
Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, revealed that Nigeria is poised to be among Africa’s pioneers in fully migrating to IPv6, marking a major milestone in the nation’s digital infrastructure development. The Digital Economy Bill, currently before the National Assembly, will undergo extensive public hearings across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) before its anticipated passage in the second quarter of 2025.
Tijani also disclosed that 11 states have already responded positively to the federal government’s request to waive right-of-way fees, a move expected to enhance broadband infrastructure. He expressed optimism that all states would comply with this initiative before the end of Tinubu’s second year in office.
Further demonstrating Nigeria’s digital ambitions, Tijani highlighted a $2 billion government-approved investment to expand the country’s broadband infrastructure with 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables. This initiative will position Nigeria’s network among Africa’s top three, alongside South Africa and Egypt. Backed by the Ministry of Finance and a $500 million commitment from the World Bank, the project is set to revolutionize connectivity nationwide.
Minister of Finance Wale Edun emphasized the increasing importance of the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, which contributed a remarkable 16% to Nigeria’s GDP in 2024. The sector’s growth underscores its critical role in economic diversification and job creation.
Edun also referenced President Tinubu’s recent engagement with Flutterwave, a leading fintech firm, where discussions centered on supporting Nigerian startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Flutterwave, valued at over $3 billion, is considering listing on Nigeria’s Stock Exchange, a move expected to strengthen the country’s fintech ecosystem.
With a bold vision for digital transformation, Tinubu’s administration is poised to harness technology to drive economic growth and empower Nigeria’s youth. The government’s commitment to policy reforms, infrastructure expansion, and strategic partnerships signifies a new era of innovation and sustainable development. If successfully implemented, these initiatives could cement Nigeria’s position as a leading tech hub in Africa.
