Nov. 10,2025
The Minister of Communication, Innovations and Digital Economy, Mr. Bosun Tijani says the digital economy sector will contribute 21 per cent of nation’s GDP by 2027.
Tijani said this at a one day public hearing on the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill 2025.
The public hearing was organised by Senate Committee on ICT,Cyber security and House of Representatives Committee on Communication and ICT.
According to the minister, the digital economy sector had already contributed about 16 per cent to GDP, saying that it is now contributing 19 per cent.
He said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was targeting a one trillion dollars economy, assuring that the digital economy would contribute 21 per cent to GDP by 2027.
“This bill will unlock the private sector’s potentials 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 that the ministry with support of National Assembly was driving deployment of 90,000 kilometers of fiber-optic network to connect every geo-political zone, state and local government with world-class internet access.
“Beyond this, we are addressing the needs of more than 20 million unconnected Nigerians by deploying nearly 4,000 new communication towers in currently underserved communities.”
The minister said the bill also provides for a national data exchange system, ensuring seamless information sharing among MDAs and between government and the private sector.
He said that the bill provides for the establishment of a framework for Artificial intelligence (AI) adoption.
This, he said would enable Nigeria to increase in 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.”
Tijani commended the Chairmen of the committees and other members for their inputs on the bill, describing it 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.”
The Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber security, Sen. Shuaib Afolabi allayed the fears of stakeholders’ on perceived notion that the bill would be take over responsibility of other regulatory agencies in the digital economy space.
“Nothing in the bill that will take away the regulatory functions of agencies regulating professionals.”
Afolabi said there was no overlap between what the bill sought to do and what the existing legislations already contained.
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.
” So, when they digitise, it minimise corruption or 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 have a national framework for government agencies digitisation process and harmonisation.
“And I can tell you, in 12 months after the passage of this bill, we will all have a lot to say and show for what we have done. ”
Dr. Muhammad Sirajo, President of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) in his presentation commended the efforts and inputs of all the major stakeholders on the bill.
He called for a clear distinction of responsibilities of various agencies in the digital economy sector.
He said that the society would support the core objectives of the bill and was ready to assist in education and capacity building of professionals in the sector.(NAN)
