In a move poised to reshape Nigeria's economic landscape, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has projected that the nation's digital economy could contribute a remarkable 21% to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030. This would be a significant leap from its current 16–18%. The ambitious forecast hinges on the successful passage of the new National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill into law.
Speaking at a nationwide engagement event in Abuja, Minister Tijani, through his representative, Rafiu Adeladan, emphasized that this legislative framework is the key to unlocking the sector's full potential. He revealed that even without this enabling law, the digital sector contributed a substantial N7 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, accounting for 14.19% of Nigeria’s total N49.34 trillion GDP.
A Comprehensive Legal Foundation
The proposed Bill aims to create a robust legal and regulatory framework that would serve as the anchor for Nigeria's ongoing digital transformation. Tijani highlighted that the legislation would catalyze growth beyond oil, create employment, and engage the country's youth. The Minister noted that the digital economy is already a significant growth driver and with the new law, its impact would be "nothing short of miraculous."
"There will be so much employment," Tijani stated, adding that the economy would expand to the point where Nigeria would not need to rely as heavily on oil. The Bill also addresses critical gaps in Nigeria's digital infrastructure, particularly concerning electronic transactions, authentication, and the recognition of electronic records. These provisions are designed to align Nigeria with global best practices, boosting confidence in its e-commerce and e-governance platforms. Its forward-looking sections, which cover artificial intelligence, digital literacy, and trusted data systems, are expected to improve governance and provide safeguards for citizens.
Broad Stakeholder Collaboration
The collaborative nature of the Bill's development was a key point of discussion. Kashifu Abdullahi, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), stressed that the legislation was not created in isolation. "It was shaped through engagements in all 36 states," he said, noting that input came from academia, industry, government, innovators, and venture capitalists. According to Abdullahi, this law will accelerate digitization, deepen financial inclusion, and ensure that every Nigerian is part of the digital economy.
He explained how digitizing government services would naturally drive financial inclusion. When services move online, citizens are more likely to consume them and pay for them, which in turn necessitates financial inclusion. This creates a powerful link between digitization, financial inclusion, and citizen participation. The Bill also aims to bridge the digital divide through continued investments in connectivity and digital literacy, ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind.
Infrastructure and Optimism
The importance of infrastructure was underscored by Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone. "You can't talk of a digital economy without infrastructure," he said. He likened data to being "more important than oil," expressing optimism that the Bill would not only grow GDP but also help curb the "japa" syndrome, a term for the mass emigration of young, skilled Nigerians.
Other key figures, including Dr. Vincent Olatunji of the Nigerian Data Protection Commission and Postmaster General Tola Odeyemi of NIPOST, also voiced their support. Dr. Olatunji described the initiative as "historic," emphasizing that while policies are statements of intent, laws are "compelling." With the Bill having already passed its first reading at the National Assembly, stakeholders are optimistic that the upcoming public hearing and eventual presidential assent will provide Nigeria with a modern, forward-looking law to anchor its digital transformation journey.