The Federal Government has outlined plans to grow the ICT and digital economy sector to account for a quarter of Nigeria’s total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the year 2030.
Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, revealed this at a stakeholders’ engagement on the National Digital Economy Bill, currently before the National Assembly, held in Abuja on Thursday.
Tijani, who was represented by Rafiu Adeladan, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, noted that the Government is implementing strategic efforts to fully leverage the ICT and digital economy sector.
He said that the efforts aimed to drive job creation, expand access to financial services, and enhance development across all areas of the national economy.
The minister described the bill as critical to Nigeria’s national digital economy and prosperity, noting that the country currently lacks a comprehensive and effective legal framework for electronic transactions and e-commerce.
He explained that the bill would, among other things, address key components of electronic transactions, including authentication, revocation, auditing, and e-commerce. This, he said, would ensure government revenues are properly tracked and collected through digital platforms.
Tijani stated that the gathering provided stakeholders with a unique opportunity to collectively deliberate on the provisions of the bill and its implications for Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
Describing data usage in the digital economy ecosystem as “the new oil,” Tijani noted that in the first quarter of 2025, the ICT/digital economy sector contributed approximately seven billion naira to Nigeria’s real GDP.
He said this figure represented 14 percent of the total GDP during the review period, adding that the bill is expected to create more revenue and opportunities for both the government and citizens once implemented.
“Currently, the ICT/digital economy sector contributes between 16 and 18 percent of GDP, with clear strategies in place to increase this to 25 percent by 2030. The National Digital and E-Government Bill seeks to establish a robust legal and regulatory framework to guide the implementation of digital governance in Nigeria,” he said.
“Today, we have brought together a broad range of stakeholders — including representatives from government agencies, private sector partners, civil society organizations, development partners, the legal community, and the general public.
“Your perspectives and contributions are critical, as they will help shape the final content of the bill and ensure it reflects the aspirations of all Nigerians,” Tijani added.
Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), stated that the government is making significant efforts to ensure Nigeria maximizes the benefits of the digital economy ecosystem. He emphasized that the bill, once passed into law, would greatly advance the country’s interests.
Inuwa explained that key stakeholders are being brought together to discuss and refine various components of the bill. He noted that it is designed not only to address current challenges but also to prepare for future developments in the digital space.
