Nigeria must urgently harness its youthful population, 65% of whom are tech-savvy, to achieve global competitiveness in the digital economy, asserted Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
Speaking at the 2025 Digital Nigeria International Conference, Dr. Olatunji described the nation’s large, technologically inclined youth demographic as a strategic national advantage that must be fully utilized.
He emphasized that for this group, “Technology is the only language they understand,” and platforms like the conference are crucial for directing their energy toward innovation and disruption.
Dr. Olatunji delivered a goodwill message on behalf of the CEOs under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. He stressed that Nigeria is at a critical juncture where collaboration and innovation are essential for achieving global relevance.
He highlighted the immense scale of the global digital economy, noting over 18.8 billion connected devices serving a population of 8.2 billion. This demonstrates technology’s transformative power across business, communication, and governance.
The Commissioner believes Nigeria possesses both the human and material resources to lead in this space but must overcome internal fragmentation by fostering greater synergy across all sectors.
To compete globally, Dr. Olatunji urged Nigeria to adopt models similar to major tech disruptors like Uber, Booking.com, and Amazon, which redefine industries without needing to own traditional assets.
Furthermore, Dr. Olatunji noted significant governmental steps toward institutionalizing the country’s digital transformation. He cited the recent public hearing on the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill as a landmark development, explaining that this bill is expected to provide a unified legal framework for digital governance, cybersecurity, and electronic transactions, enabling measurable local and global impact.
Additionally, he commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to the tech ecosystem, evidenced by the swift signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act. Finally, Dr. Olatunji also lauded the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, for his technocratic approach and ability to unite key stakeholders.
Dr. Olatunji concluded his remarks by calling on all participants to embrace the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and disruption. He expressed optimism that the conference’s outcomes would shape the nation’s digital future, adding: “We must come together, cooperate, and push Nigeria into its rightful place in the global digital economy.”