At GITEX Nigeria 2025 held in Lagos, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, delivered a compelling address underscoring the nation’s need to build a resilient global digital infrastructure that goes beyond simply keeping pace with international developments.
Moving beyond ‘catching up’
Tijani emphasized that Nigeria must strive not just to match global digital capacity but to fortify it—creating systems that can sustain innovation and foster long-term growth. “We believe we should build and are building a resilient global system to ensure Nigeria is not just keeping pace with digital infrastructure but also strengthening it,” he affirmed .
Pressure from rapid urbanization
With Lagos registering approximately 2,000 new residents every day, the capital faces immense pressure to scale up its digital foundations. This demographic swell amplifies the urgency for robust infrastructure to meet growing demand .
Launch of a major research initiative
Starting October 1, the government will back an expanded research initiative to support 75 new projects in the digital sector, aiming to deepen participation from Nigerian researchers, entrepreneurs, and the diaspora .
Collaboration is key
“It starts with government enabling infrastructure, but building resilience demands contributions from startups, corporates, and innovators,” Tijani urged, calling for robust cross-sector partnerships to amplify impact .
Data sovereignty and AI regulation on the horizon
Complementing Tijani’s address, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General of NITDA, revealed plans to collaborate with big tech and hyperscalers to establish hyperscale data centres under the government’s Cloud First Strategy—a move aimed at ensuring data sovereignty and bolstering local digital capacity .
Further, Abdullahi announced development of a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, featuring adoption standards and an ethical framework tailored to Nigerian societal contexts, alongside an Online Harm Protection Bill intended to harmonize online and offline content regulation. He also referenced the creation of homegrown large language models reflecting Nigeria’s cultural values, supported by a regulatory intelligence framework that promotes innovation ahead of legislation.
