The landmark legislation, the first of its kind in Africa, is expected to accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward a $1 trillion digital economy by 2027….
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, says President Bola Tinubu is expected to sign the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, 2025, into law this week.
Tijani disclosed this on Monday at a joint public hearing organised by the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on ICT and Cybersecurity in Abuja.
According to him, the bill represents a major policy milestone and is one of the catalysts for the administration’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy driven by innovation and technology.
“This Bill is being awaited by President Bola Tinubu for assent this week, being one of the catalysts for the actualisation of the projected $1 trillion economy,” Tijani said.
Nigeria to Lead Africa in Digital Governance
The minister described the legislation as the first of its kind in Africa, noting that it underscores Nigeria’s leadership role in digital transformation across the continent.
“This sector, which once contributed about 16 percent to our GDP, is now tracking at 19 percent,” Tijani said.
“Under the president’s leadership, we are targeting a $1 trillion economy with the digital economy contributing 21 percent to GDP by 2027. This Bill will unlock the private sector’s potential to achieve that goal.”
He said the administration remains focused on deep, structural reforms, rather than quick fixes, to sustain long-term digital growth.
“Our government is committed to foundational digital infrastructure and progressive policies that will open new opportunities nationwide,” he added.
Key Provisions of the Bill
Tijani explained that the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill seeks to:
- Establish a national data exchange system to enable seamless information sharing among government agencies.
- Create a policy framework for artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in critical sectors such as health, education, and public administration.
- Mandate digital transformation of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to improve transparency, efficiency, and service delivery.
- Strengthen Nigeria’s cybersecurity architecture and standardize electronic transactions.
The minister also revealed that the federal government is collaborating with the National Assembly to expand national connectivity through:
- The deployment of 90,000km of fibre-optic cables across all states and local governments.
- The construction of nearly 4,000 new communication towers to bridge connectivity gaps in underserved communities.
“In strengthening this Bill, we are shaping the future of generations yet unborn. The generation that liberalised our telecoms 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,” he said.
Lawmakers and Stakeholders Back the Bill
Shuaib Salisu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT, said the bill will provide regulatory clarity for electronic transactions and empower MDAs to digitise their operations.
“This law, when enacted, will serve as the backbone of the digital economy,” Salisu said.
Adedeji Olajide, Chairman of the House Committee on ICT, described the bill as a transformational policy instrument that will accelerate Nigeria’s digital inclusion agenda.
Major stakeholders including the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NICOMSAT), Galaxy Backbone Limited, and the Office of the Head of Service expressed full support for the legislation, describing it as a critical enabler of digital governance and economic diversification.
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