The Federal Government has announced plans to invest N12 billion in digital economy research projects aimed at positioning Nigeria as a major beneficiary of the global digital transformation wave.
Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, disclosed this on Tuesday at the opening of the 18th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV 2025) in Abuja. The four-day global conference, themed “Shaping the Future of Digital Governance Through Cooperation, Innovation, and Inclusion,” is hosted by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Tijani said the government’s renewed focus on digital research stems from the need to harness emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, digital literacy, and improved connectivity to reshape governance and society.
He noted that the success of Nigeria’s participation in ICEGOV 2024 earned the country the confidence of international partners to host the 2025 edition, a feat that underscores the nation’s growing reputation in digital innovation and policy development.
The minister revealed that the new N12 billion research fund would cover 18 universities grouped into three clusters, each focusing on Artificial Intelligence, connectivity, and digital skills. According to him, the clusters will drive research that directly impacts national development and inclusion.
“We are setting up three research clusters of six universities each, one focused on artificial intelligence, another on connectivity, and the third on digital skills and literacy. These areas represent the backbone of our digital transformation strategy,” Tijani said.
He added that digital technology had become central to modern life and should no longer be viewed merely as an economic tool but as a force capable of reshaping governance and societal progress.
Read also:
- Onu declares for presidency, promises to unlock Nigeria’s prosperity with science, technology
- Nigeria’s fintech firm, Kudi, changes name to Nomba
- YOSN organises a capacity-building tech programme for 500 Nigerian Youths
At the event, Ms. Elsa Estevez, Chair of the ICEGOV Steering Committee, urged governments worldwide to prioritize human-centered innovation. She emphasized that while digital technologies such as AI continue to redefine human interaction and productivity, they must be guided by ethics, inclusivity, and collaboration.
“We must ensure that technological innovations are human-centered and contribute to building better societies,” she said. “Securing the public digital space requires regulation, education, and awareness, anchored on strong information ethics.”
NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, also announced that the federal government plans to integrate digital literacy and skills training into the national school curriculum by 2026. The initiative, he said, will align with the administration’s goal of preparing Nigeria’s youth for the evolving global digital economy.
“In Africa, we have a young and digitally native population. To connect with them, government must meet them where they are, online,” Inuwa stated. “By next year, we will begin integrating digital literacy into formal education, following the President’s directive.”
Inuwa further revealed that digital upskilling programs for public servants are underway to enhance efficiency and transparency in governance.
The conference, which has drawn delegates from over 60 countries, serves as a global platform for collaboration on policies, research, and innovations that shape the future of electronic governance.
