Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that Nigeria is on the ambitious move to build a $1 trillion economy powered by digital innovation.
Speaking at the official opening of the 2025 Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition in Abuja, the Vice President stated that this monumental ambition is hinged on the successful passage of the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill into law. The conference was themed “Innovation for a Sustainable Digital Future: Accelerating Growth, Inclusion, and Global Competitiveness.”
The Vice President emphasized that the bill is much more than legislative reform, describing it as a strategic leap toward embedding technology into the fabric of governance, economic planning, and national development.
Drawing a compelling parallel, Senator Shettima stated that just as Nigeria’s cashless policy catalyzed the fintech revolution, the new bill will ignite a govtech revolution.
“Just as the cashless policy unlocked the fintech revolution, this new bill will unlock the govtech revolution—an era of smarter governance, greater transparency, and inclusive service delivery,” he declared.
This new era, he explained, will be entirely driven by digital tools and infrastructure, positioning the legislation as part of a broader national strategy to establish Nigeria as a global leader in digital innovation and transform every sector of society.
To complement the bill, the Vice President outlined key national initiatives, including the integration of digital literacy into school curricula, the digitization of the informal sector for economic inclusion of millions of Nigerians, and the 3 Million Technical Talent Program aimed at developing world-class expertise and establishing Nigeria as a digital skills hub.
Furthermore, Senator Shettima addressed the government’s infrastructure commitment, noting ongoing major projects such as the Broadband Superhighway to deliver high-speed internet across the country, and the Bridge and 7-7-4 initiatives to ensure startups in remote towns have the same digital access as those in major cities like Abuja and Lagos, underscoring that equitable connectivity is a prerequisite for national competitiveness.
He urged the youth, whom he called the “lifewire of our nation,” to embrace their roles as innovators, noting that “The language of our long-term stability is digital.”
Celebrating Nigeria’s current success as a leading fintech ecosystem, the VP stated that the new bill will build on this momentum by establishing a unified legal framework for digital governance, electronic transactions, and cybersecurity. This framework will also strengthen key institutions like NITDA, NCC, and NDPC, ensuring a secure and innovative digital ecosystem.
The Vice President concluded by painting a vision of a digitally empowered and inclusive Nigeria where technology drives opportunity and prosperity for all.