Digital Economy & e-Governance Bill cornerstone of Nigeria’s $1trn economy target: Shettima

*Nigerian Vice-President (Senator) Kashim Shettima affirms the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill currently in the National Assembly, is a cornerstone of the country’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy, powered by digital innovation

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In line with the country’s digital economy aspirations, the Federal Government has said the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill currently in the National Assembly (NASS) is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy, powered by digital innovation.

ConsumerConnect reports Vice-President (Senator) Kashim Shettima in Abuja, FCT, at the official opening of the 2025 Edition of the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition.

The theme of this year’s event is: “Innovation for a Sustainable Digital Future: Accelerating Growth, Inclusion, and Global Competitiveness”.

Innovation: OAU launches branded phones, smartwatches on AI & Robotics in clinical practice  

Vice-President Shettima emphasised the West African country is on the eve of a historic transformation as the government advances towards passing the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill into law.

The bill is a cornerstone of the country’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy powered by digital innovation, restated the Vice-President.

Emphasising the significance of the upcoming regulation, he also noted that the bill represents more than legislative reform.

According to him, it is “a strategic leap towards embedding technology into the fabric of governance, economic planning, and national development.”

Drawing a compelling parallel with Nigeria’s cashless policy, which catalysed the FinTech revolution, the Vice President said the anticipated impact of the new bill would ignite a govtech revolution.

READ ALSO Digital Nigeria 2025: NITDA’s Inuwa Beckons Youths To Power Inclusive Africa’s Digital Future

US Senate Votes 60 To 40 To Reopen Government, Resolve Leadership Stalemate

Japa: Nigeria Immigration Sensitises 577,200 Corps Members To Dangers Of Irregular Migration, Human Dignity

“Just as the cashless policy unlocked the FinTech revolution, this new bill will unlock the govtech revolution—an era of smarter governance, greater transparency, and inclusive service delivery,” he declared.

Shettima further explained that this new era would be defined by smarter governance, greater transparency, and inclusive service delivery, all driven by digital tools and infrastructure.

He stressed that the bill is part of a broader national strategy to position Nigeria as a global leader in digital innovation, with the potential to transform every sector of society.

The Vice-President outlined a series of initiatives that complement the bill, including the integration of digital literacy into school curricula and the digitisation of the informal sector to bring millions of Nigerians into the formal economy.

Besides, the Vice-President highlighted the 3 Million Technical Talent Programme, which aims to develop world-class expertise and establish Nigeria as a hub for digital skills in the ecosystem.

Broadband connectivity and youths as ‘lifewire’ of Nigeria, by Shettima

In regard to the expected contributions of the Nigerian youths, Vice-President Shettima described them the “lifewire of our nation”, urging them to embrace their roles as innovators, disruptors, and dreamers who turn possibilities into profits.

He declared: “You are the innovators, the disruptors, the dreamers who turn possibilities into profits.

“It is because of you that we are creating an enabling environment that encourages innovation. The language of our long-term stability is digital.”

As regards the Federal Government’s digital infrastructure efforts, the Vice-President noted that major projects such as the Broadband Superhighway—designed to deliver high-speed internet across the country—and the Bridge and 7-7-4 initiatives, which aim to ensure that startups in remote towns, like Gusau have the same digital access as those in major cities like Abuja and Lagos, are ongoing.

Underscoring the need for equal access to digital infrastructure, he noted that equitable connectivity is not just a matter of fairness but a prerequisite for national competitiveness in the digital age.

Policy wise, Senator Shettima celebrated Nigeria’s emergence as a leading Fincial Technology (FinTech) ecosystem, attributing this success to bold reforms and a forward-thinking regulatory environment.

Once enacted, the new bill will build on this momentum by establishing a unified legal framework for digital governance, electronic transactions, and cybersecurity, stated he.

Significance of emerging regulatory framework to NITDA, NCC and NDPC

The government emphasised that the emerging regulatory framework would also strengthen key institutions, such as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to ensure that the country’s digital ecosystem is both innovative and secure.

Painting a vivid picture of the digitally empowered Nigeria he envisions, Senator Shettima expressed optimism about a future where farmers use real-time market data to secure fair prices, young women in rural communities work remotely for global companies, and universities produce graduates equipped with the skills to thrive in the global digital economy.

The Vice-President stressed that digital transformation must be inclusive, touching every corner of the country and every segment of society.

Shettima urged participants in the event to seize the moment and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s digital transformation.

He equally expressed confidence that the outcomes of the conference would shape the country’s future.

Vice-President Shettima reaffirmed the current administration’s commitment to ensuring that digital innovation drives opportunity, inclusion, and prosperity for all Nigerian consumers.

A distinguished array of stakeholders, including Dr. ’Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE); Dr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General and CEO of NITDA; Dr. Aminu Wada Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO of NCC; Dr. Vincent Olatunji, CEO of NDPC; Professor Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC); and Engineer Margaret Aina Oguntola, President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) all attended the event.

In attendance also were members of the diplomatic corps, Service Chiefs, Heads of paramilitary agencies, senior government officials, and leaders from the academia and industry.

Kindly Share This Story