Nigeria is entering a defining era in its technological evolution, Vice President Kashim Shettima declared in Abuja, as the Federal Government moves closer to enacting the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, a law he described as “the foundation of a trillion-dollar digital future.”
Speaking at the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition 2025, themed “Innovation for a Sustainable Digital Future: Accelerating Growth, Inclusion, and Global Competitiveness,” Shettima said the bill will revolutionize governance and accelerate national development through the power of digital innovation.
“This is more than legislation,” he remarked. “It is a bold step toward embedding technology into the very DNA of our governance, economy, and society.”
Drawing from history, the Vice President compared the bill’s expected impact to the 2012 cashless policy that sparked Nigeria’s fintech revolution. “Just as the cashless policy unlocked fintech, this bill will unlock a govtech revolution, one defined by smarter governance, transparency, and inclusive service delivery,” he said.
Shettima explained that the bill aligns with Nigeria’s ambition to lead Africa’s digital transformation, with a strategy that combines innovation, inclusion, and infrastructure. Among complementary initiatives, he mentioned the integration of digital literacy into school curricula, digitization of the informal sector, and the ongoing 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme aimed at positioning Nigeria as a global hub for tech expertise.
Speaking directly to Nigeria’s youth, the Vice President called them the “lifewire of the nation,” urging them to seize the opportunities of the digital age.
“You are the innovators, the dreamers, the disruptors turning ideas into impact,” he said. “Our long-term stability as a nation rests on how we harness digital potential.”
On infrastructure, Shettima highlighted major projects such as the Broadband Superhighway, which will deliver high-speed internet nationwide, and the Bridge and 7-7-4 initiatives, designed to ensure equal access to digital tools for startups across both rural and urban areas.
“Connectivity is not a privilege,” he emphasized. “It is a necessity for national competitiveness in today’s digital world.”
He also celebrated Nigeria’s leadership in Africa’s fintech space, crediting it to visionary policies and a regulatory environment that supports innovation. The new bill, he noted, will strengthen institutions such as NITDA, NCC, and NDPC, providing a unified legal framework for digital governance, electronic transactions, and cybersecurity.
Envisioning the Nigeria of tomorrow, Shettima spoke of farmers accessing real-time market data, women in rural communities working remotely for international firms, and universities producing globally relevant digital professionals. “Our vision is a connected, inclusive, and innovative nation where no one is left behind,” he said.
As he declared the conference open, the Vice President called on participants to turn ideas into action, collaboration into innovation, and policy into progress. “This moment is ours to define,” he concluded. “We are building a future where digital innovation drives opportunity, equity, and prosperity for every Nigerian.”
The conference drew a distinguished audience, including Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy; Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, DG of NITDA; Dr. Aminu Maida, EVC of NCC; Dr. Vincent Olatunji, CEO of NDPC; Prof. Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission; and Engineer Margaret Aina Oguntola, President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
Also in attendance were members of the diplomatic corps, service chiefs, top government officials, and leading figures from academia and industry, all united by a shared vision of propelling Nigeria into a new digital dawn.
