Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani, says the digital economy sector would contribute 21 per cent to the GDP by 2027
Mr Tijani stated this at a one-day public hearing on the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill 2025, organised by the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity and the House of Representatives Committee on Communication and ICT.
According to the Minister, the digital economy sector had contributed about 16 per cent to the GDP in the past, and it is now contributing 19 per cent.
He said President Bola Tinubu’s administration was targeting a one trillion-dollar economy, assuring that the digital economy would contribute 21 per cent to the GDP by 2027.
“This bill will unlock the private sector’s potential to achieve that goal.
Our government is committed not to quick fixes, but deep and structural investment.
Building foundational digital infrastructure and progressive policies that will open new opportunities nationwide.”
He said the ministry, with the support of the National Assembly, was driving the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic network to connect every geopolitical zone, state, and local government with world-class internet access.
“Beyond this, we are addressing the needs of over 20 million unconnected Nigerians by deploying nearly 4,000 new communication towers in currently underserved communities,” he added.
The Minister explained that the bill also provides for a national data exchange system, ensuring seamless information sharing among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and between government and the private sector.
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He further noted that the bill makes provision for the establishment of a framework for Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption, which he said would enable Nigeria to increase competitiveness and productivity across critical sectors.
“In supporting this bill, we are shaping the future of generations yet unborn.
The generation that liberalised our telecommunications sector in 1999 laid the foundation for today’s growth.
Now, we take the next bold step to expand our economy through technology and innovation.”
Mr Tijani commended the Chairmen of the Committees and other members for their input on the bill, describing their work as outstanding.
“So, I ask everyone here to rise and give our legislators a resounding round of applause for their outstanding work on this landmark bill.
This is the first of its kind on the African continent, a clear demonstration of Nigeria’s role in setting the pace for technological advancement across Africa.
As a nation representing nearly 20 per cent of the world’s black population, Nigeria carries a responsibility to lead.
The cooperation we have seen among the legislature, the executive, the private sector, and civil society reflects our collective resolve to build the future Nigeria deserves.”
Clear and distinctive responsibilities
The Chairman Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Senator Shuaib Afolabi, allayed stakeholders’ fears over the perceived notion that the bill would take over the responsibilities of other regulatory agencies in the digital economy space.
“There is nothing in the bill that will take away the regulatory functions of agencies regulating professionals,” he said.
Senator Afolabi explained that there was no overlap between what the bill sought to do and what existing legislation already contains.
According to him, the bill has received inputs from stakeholders across the country.
“The objective of this bill is to provide regulatory clarity for electronic transactions in the country.
The second part of it is that most of our ministries and agencies are still operating manually in paper form in the 21st century.
So, the second objective of this bill is to mandate government agencies to digitise their operations.
When they digitise, it minimises corruption and reduces the cost of governance.
Thirdly, you have a number of government agencies embarking on IT initiatives, but they are not coordinated.
So, this bill also seeks to harmonise and create a national framework for government agencies’ digitisation process and coordination.
And I can tell you, in twelve months after the passage of this bill, we will all have a lot to say and show for what we have done.”
In his presentation, the President of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Dr Muhammad Sirajo, commended the efforts and inputs of all major stakeholders on the bill.
He called for a clear distinction of responsibilities among the various agencies in the digital economy sector.
The NCS President also emphasised the promotion of advanced technologies such as AI and blockchain, adding that the Society would ensure ethical and professional oversight in the sector, as a strong digital economy depends on adherence to best standards.
He said the Society would continue to support the core objectives of the bill and was ready to assist in education and capacity building for professionals in the sector.