Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has unveiled a bold target for the nation’s digital economy to contribute 21 per cent to gross domestic product (GDP) by 2027.
The projection was disclosed at Nigeria’s first hosting of the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) in Abuja, a move that reinforces the government’s resolve to place technology at the heart of national growth.
Addressing participants at the inaugural event, Dr Tijani traced the rise of the ICT sector, which has expanded from less than five per cent of GDP a decade ago to a steady 16–18 per cent today. He described Nigeria as “a major innovation and creative country” with infrastructure, talent, and originality fuelling foreign direct investment.
The minister drew attention to the increasing influence of technology companies listed on Nigeria’s stock exchange, noting that they are now outperforming several leading oil firms. According to him, this marks a decisive economic shift, one driven by the productivity gains of technology across key sectors including agriculture, health, and governance.
He spoke of the distinctive blend of creativity and technology that defines the country’s innovation landscape, describing Lagos as “Africa’s creative heartbeat”. He pointed to Nollywood, the world’s second-largest film industry, and Afrobeats, a global cultural export, as examples of how the creative economy is driving growth. The sector is projected to generate over 15 billion dollars in value within the coming years.
To anchor this transition, the ministry is rolling out major infrastructure and human capital programmes. Central to this is Project BRIDGE, a 90,000-kilometre fibre backbone designed to connect all parts of the country. Alongside this, the 3MTT initiative is equipping young Nigerians with digital skills tailored for global technology roles.
Dr Tijani also announced forthcoming legislation—the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bills—which will establish a secure and accountable digital environment. He further pointed to the AI Collective, an initiative supporting Nigerian companies to build practical solutions using artificial intelligence.
In addition, 55 academic research projects have received funding in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), aimed at deepening local expertise and innovation capacity.
Concluding his remarks, Dr Tijani stressed that government action alone cannot achieve the transformation, inviting startups, corporates, academia, and international partners to work collectively. “The opportunity and responsibility now rest with all of us,” he said.
With a collaborative spirit, targeted investment, and a supportive policy framework, Nigeria is positioning itself to take a leading role in the global technology arena.
