Tijani addresses World economic forum on Nigeria’s digital economy successes, challenges
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Mr. Bosun Tijani, has addressed a global audience at the World Economic Forum holding in Davis, Switzerland on Nigeria’s digital economy journey.
As Nigeria navigates the digital landscape, the address by Minister Bosun Tijani at the World Economic Forum signals the country’s determination to leverage technology for economic diversification and address global challenges collaboratively.
The Minister noted that the event presents an opportunity for Nigeria to forge partnerships and chart a path forward in building the backbone of its digital economy.
Speaking at the forum, Tijani emphasised the pivotal role of technology in diversifying Nigeria’s economy and addressing global challenges.
Mr. Tijani underscored the crucial role of technology in Nigeria’s economic diversification, stating, “We understand that diversification in Nigeria’s economy can only happen through the application of technology.”
In an interview with the press, Tijani added, “One of the things I’m looking to accomplish on this on this journey, which truly is to find partnerships and relationships to help us build the backbone for our digital economy, and the reason for that is we understand that diversification that Nigeria is an economy can only happen through the application of technology. Also, the world is going through an interesting time. So many global challenges now include the opportunity for technology to solve so many challenges as well. With the opportunities that exist in the work workforce for technology.”
He pointed out that the unique demographic advantage, with 60 percent of Nigeria’s population being under the age of 25, presents an opportunity to accelerate talent development and contribute significantly to the global technology workforce.
Harnessing Opportunities for Talent Development:
Acknowledging the challenges posed by global issues, Minister Tijani sees technology as a solution and an enabler for progress. He expressed optimism about Nigeria’s potential to address the global workforce shortage in technology, saying, “We can accelerate talent in our country, help raise new people who can join that technical workforce and help solve many problems.”
Reflecting on the overall theme of the World Economic Forum 2024, “Rebuilding Trust,” Mr. Tijani noted its resonance with Nigeria’s current reality. He emphasised the need for constructive conversations that build trust over time, recognising that this process requires accountability and realistic measures. The minister highlighted President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s commitment to performance accountability, noting that ministers in the administration sign performance bonds, and their effectiveness will be judged by their performance.
He said, “The overall theme of the World Economic Forum 2024; ‘Rebuilding Trust’ speaks to our reality at home in Nigeria and it clearly resonates with my experience in government for the last 4 months.
“We have the opportunity as a nation and under this present administration to chart a path forward, even as we contribute to finding solutions to collective global challenges.
“To do so however, we must find a way to have conversations that are constructive and build trust over time. It won’t happen overnight.
“As leaders and citizens, we must hold ourselves accountable, through very realistic measures, to the promises that we make to ourselves.
“President Tinubu in his wisdom has started this by ensuring that his ministers sign performance bonds and it is clear we will be judged by our performance.”
Minister Bosun Tijani concluded his address by expressing Nigeria’s commitment to contributing to finding solutions to global challenges. He urged leaders and citizens to hold themselves accountable and emphasized that building trust won’t happen overnight. The minister emphasised the importance of constructive dialogue and realistic measures to fulfill promises made to the nation.
