Tijani Reaffirms FG’s Commitment to Building Inclusive, Competitive Digital Economy
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to building a sustainable, inclusive, and globally competitive digital economy, urging stakeholders across sectors to work collaboratively toward achieving Nigeria’s digital transformation goals.
Delivering the keynote address at the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition 2025 in Abuja, Dr. Tijani described the annual gathering as more than a conventional technology conference, but a national platform for dialogue, collaboration, and actionable strategies that will define the country’s digital future.
“It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to Digital Nigeria 2025 — a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and action towards building a sustainable, inclusive, and globally competitive digital economy for our nation,” he said. “This event reminds us of what digital truly means for our past as a people, our present reality, and the future we are striving to build.”
The Minister took participants on a reflective journey through Nigeria’s digital history, recalling that the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector in 1999 was a transformative policy that reshaped the nation’s economy.
Before that reform, he noted, only a few Nigerian families had access to telephones, and making international calls required visiting special centres and waiting in queues.
“That decision marked the birth of a new economy built on ideas and innovation. The introduction of mobile connectivity changed how Nigerians live, work, and connect — fuelling a digital revolution that continues to create opportunities for millions,” Tijani explained.
He highlighted that the ripple effect of that single reform continues to be felt across multiple sectors, adding that the digital economy now contributes about 18 percent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) — a clear indication of its importance as a driver of national growth and economic diversification.
Tijani also emphasised Nigeria’s global leadership in financial technology (fintech), citing the country’s advanced digital payment systems and thriving startup ecosystem.
“Today, Nigeria boasts one of the most efficient and responsive payment systems in the world. Transactions that take hours or even days elsewhere are completed instantly here. This innovation has produced five of Africa’s nine technology unicorns — each valued at over a billion dollars,” he said.
The Minister credited these achievements to visionary leadership and enabling policies that have positioned Nigeria as a major player in Africa’s innovation landscape.
He lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for prioritising technology and innovation as core pillars of the Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at promoting inclusivity, youth empowerment, and economic diversification.
