Nigeria is on the cusp of a digital revolution as the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill 2025 is expected to be signed into law by President Bola Tinubu before the end of the month. This was revealed by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, during a joint public hearing with the Senate and House of Representatives committees on ICT and cybersecurity and Digital and Information technology.
The bill is poised to make Nigeria the first African nation to enact a comprehensive law on digital economy and e-governance, modernizing governance and strengthening the digital economy. According to Tijani, the legislation will help unlock Nigeria’s pathway to a $1 trillion economy, with the digital economy already contributing 19% to the country’s GDP, up from 16% previously.
The bill establishes a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for electronic communications, digital signatures, artificial intelligence governance, cybersecurity, and digital literacy. It also proposes the creation of a National Data Exchange System to facilitate secure data sharing among government ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as between the public and private sectors.
The Tinubu administration is focused on long-term digital reforms, with plans to deploy 90,000 kilometers of fiber-optic network to connect every geopolitical zone, state, and local government with world-class internet access. Additionally, nearly 4,000 new communication towers will be deployed in underserved communities to address the needs of over 20 million unconnected Nigerians.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, described the bill as a milestone in Nigeria’s digital governance journey, providing legal recognition for electronic communications, records, and contracts, and mandating all public institutions to digitize their operations.
The passage of the bill is a significant step towards achieving Nigeria’s economic projections, with the digital economy expected to reach 21% of GDP by 2027. As the country moves towards a more digitalized economy, the legislation is expected to have a profound impact on the lives of Nigerians, boosting productivity and competitiveness across industries. With the president’s assent expected soon, Nigeria is poised to take a giant leap towards a more digital and connected future.