At the opening of the 2025 Digital Nigeria International Conference in Abuja, the National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, delivered a compelling call for unity and collaboration across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. Representing all heads of parastatals under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Olatunji emphasized that the nation is at a defining moment, one where collective innovation and partnership will determine its position in the global digital race.
Speaking passionately about the state of the global digital economy, he revealed that the world now hosts over 18.8 billion connected devices serving 8.2 billion people, a statistic he said captures the breathtaking scale of technological transformation worldwide. He pointed out that Nigeria, with its abundance of human talent and natural resources, has all it takes to lead in this digital era but must first bridge internal divides by fostering stronger synergy among its key players.
Dr. Olatunji highlighted Nigeria’s demographic strength as one of its greatest assets, noting that over 65% of the country’s population are young and tech-savvy. “Technology is their language,” he remarked, urging stakeholders to channel the creativity and curiosity of this youthful population into productive innovation. He stressed that the Digital Nigeria Conference serves as a crucial platform for such collaboration, where bright minds can co-create solutions to drive transformation across sectors.
Drawing lessons from global disruptors like Uber, Booking.com, and Amazon, he observed that these companies revolutionized industries without owning physical assets, demonstrating that innovation, not infrastructure, is the new capital. Nigeria, he said, can adopt similar models to leapfrog traditional limitations and redefine its digital economy.
Dr. Olatunji also referenced the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, recently subjected to a public hearing at the National Assembly, as a groundbreaking step toward providing a unified legal and institutional framework for the nation’s digital journey. The bill, he noted, would formalize governance around cybersecurity, data protection, and electronic transactions, establishing Nigeria as a credible digital powerhouse on the global stage.
Commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his early support of the tech ecosystem especially the signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, he also applauded Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, for his visionary and collaborative leadership.
In closing, Dr. Olatunji called on all participants and stakeholders to embrace the spirit of innovation, cooperation, and purposeful disruption, stressing that the nation’s progress depends on shared effort. “We must come together, cooperate, and push Nigeria into its rightful place in the global digital economy,” he declared, expressing confidence that the conference would inspire actionable outcomes that shape the country’s digital future.