Innovation: Nigerian Government rallies industry stakeholders to maximise potential in digital economy

*Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner, Nigeria Data Protection Commission, urges stakeholders in the digital economy ecosystem to collaborate in unlocking and harnessing the vast potential in the sector

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

The Federal Government has emphasised the strategic importance of collaborations and innovation as essential ingredients for achieving global competitiveness in the modern digital economy.

Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), urged stakeholders in the digital economy space to partner in unlocking and harnessing the vast potential in the sector of the country’s economy.

ConsumerConnect reports Dr. Olatunji said this while delivering a goodwill message on behalf of all Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of parastatals under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE), at the opening of the 2025 Digital Nigeria International Conference, held in Abuja, FCT.

The parastatals under FMCIDE are the NDPC, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Galaxy Backbone Limited, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat), Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF).

He emphasised that Nigeria stands at a critical juncture where collaboration and innovation are essential to achieving global competitiveness in line with the provisions contained the FMCIDE’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).

Highlighting the exponential growth of the global digital economy, Olatunji disclosed that there are currently over 18.8 billion connected devices serving a global population of 8.2 billion people.

According to the National Commissioner of NDPC, this development underscores the transformative power of technology in business, communication, and governance in modern economies.

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He further stated that the West African country possesses both the human and material resources to lead in the global digital economy ecosystem.

Olatunji, however, said Nigeria first, must overcome the challenge of fragmentation by fostering synergy across sectors of the economy.

He equally described the country’s youthful population—65 percent of whom are tech-savvy as a strategic advantage that must be harnessed to attain digital transformation.

The NDPC Chief Executive asserted: “Technology is the only language they (youths) understand.”

This calls for platforms like the conference to channel their energy towards innovation and disruption, he noted.

Citing global tech disruptors, such as Uber, Booking.com, and Amazon as examples of how technology could redefine industries without owning traditional assets, Olatunji therefore, urged Nigeria and Nigerians to adopt similar models to achieve sustainable development.

Besides, he referenced the recent public hearing in the National Assembly (NASS), in Abuja, on the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill 2025, describing it as a landmark step towards institutionalising digital transformation in the country.

The bill, Olatunji explained, will provide a unified legal framework for digital governance, cybersecurity, and electronic transactions, enabling Nigeria to make a measurable impact both locally and globally.

The NDPC Chief as well applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his early commitment to the tech ecosystem, evidenced by the swift signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act.

He also commended the leadership of Dr. ’Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, for what he described as the Minister’s “technocratic approach and ability” to unite industry stakeholders around a shared vision in the emerging Nigeria Digital Economy.

Urging all participants to embrace collaboration, innovation, and disruption, Olatunji averred: “We must come together, cooperate, and push Nigeria into its rightful place in the global digital economy.”

He expressed optimism that the outcomes of the three-day Digital Nigeria Conference would shape the Nigeria’s digital future.

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