Dr. Bayero Agabi, President of DigiVation Network, has called on Nigeria to stop being largely a consumer of imported technology and start building homegrown solutions that can position the country to capture a share of Africa’s projected $712 billion digital economy by 2050.
Speaking at the Lagos Future Conference (LFC) 2026, organised by DigiVation Network in Lagos, Agabi said Nigeria’s large population and growing digital economy would mean little if the country failed to develop the skills, institutions and infrastructure needed to turn its potential into economic value.
The conference, themed “Re-emerging Nigeria’s Future with Transformative Leadership for Driving Digital Economy, Innovation and Sustainable National Development,” brought together policymakers, industry leaders, security officials and technology innovators to discuss Nigeria’s digital future.
Agabi said technology has become deeply embedded in everyday life, with artificial intelligence and algorithms increasingly influencing how people communicate, access finance, do business and engage with society.
“When we started planning this conference, I asked myself a simple question: what keeps me up at night as a father, as a Nigerian? My daughter spends more time listening to an algorithm than she does listening to me,” he said.
He noted that the global AI economy is projected to reach $15.7 trillion by 2030, while Africa’s digital economy could reach $712 billion by 2050, placing Nigeria in a strong position to benefit from the growth.
But Agabi stressed that demographics alone would not guarantee prosperity. Rather, Nigeria must deliberately build the systems and capabilities required to turn its youthful population into a productive digital workforce.
He outlined key priorities for the country, stressing that good governance and the rule of law are essential for creating an environment where innovation and investment can thrive.
Agabi also called for Nigeria to move from technology consumers to technology builders, praising programmes such as NITDA’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative. He said the country must go beyond using imported platforms and focus on developing its own technologies and digital products.
He stressed the need to ensure that technology remains centred on people. As AI adoption accelerates, Nigeria must ensure that emerging technologies create opportunities and protect livelihoods rather than simply displace workers.
Agabi further called for deliberate efforts to turn Nigeria’s youthful population into an economic advantage by equipping young people with world-class technical and digital skills.
With Nigeria’s median age estimated at about 17, Agabi said the country has a demographic advantage that many ageing economies lack. The challenge, he stressed, is to equip young Nigerians with the skills and opportunities needed to build the technologies that will shape the country’s future.