The Federal Government has projected that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product could rise significantly if the proposed National Digital and E-Governance Bill is passed into law, with contributions from the digital economy expected to reach 21 percent by 2030.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, made this known on Thursday in Abuja during a stakeholder validation workshop on the bill. Tijani, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Rafiu Adeladan, described the legislation as a critical milestone in shaping an inclusive and resilient digital economy for the country.
“Today marks a defining moment in our collective efforts to shape a resilient, inclusive, and future-proof digital economy for Nigeria. This gathering provides us with a unique opportunity to deliberate on the provisions of the Bill, validate its framework, and agree on a shared path towards its successful implementation,” he said.
The minister explained that the bill would anchor Nigeria’s digital transformation within law, establishing a robust legal and regulatory framework for e-governance, improving public service delivery, strengthening digital trade, and building citizens’ confidence in secure transactions.
According to Tijani, the digital economy has already made strong contributions to growth, adding N7 trillion to real GDP in the first quarter of 2025—representing 14.19 percent of total output. The sector currently accounts for 16 to 18 percent of GDP, with government strategies in place to raise this to 21 percent by the end of the decade.
“At present, the sector contributes 16–18 per cent of GDP, with well-defined strategies to increase this to 21 per cent by 2030. These figures demonstrate both the current impact and the vast potential of a unified, digitally empowered economy driven by robust legislation,” he noted.
Tijani commended the National Assembly, particularly Senator Shuaib Salisu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, and Stanley Adedeji, Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Technology, for their role in advancing the bill. He stressed that legislative backing was crucial to securing Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital era.
The minister also highlighted the unprecedented scale of nationwide stakeholder engagement in drafting the bill, with consultations held across all 36 states. “Over the past months, an extensive nationwide stakeholder engagement has been conducted across the 36 States of the Federation. This historic process, facilitated by the law firm of Duale, Ovia & Alex-Adedipe, ensured that the voices and perspectives of sub-national governments, ecosystem actors, civil society, and private sector stakeholders are embedded in this Bill,” he said. He noted that it was the first time a legislative instrument of this nature had undergone such broad and inclusive consultation.
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Abdullahi, underscored that inclusivity was central to the bill, stressing that the nationwide consultations were deliberate to ensure no region was left behind. He said the process was shaped by input from academia, industry leaders, government agencies, the innovation ecosystem, and venture capitalists.
Similarly, the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, emphasized the importance of aligning the legislation with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, to safeguard citizens’ privacy and strengthen the country’s digital ecosystem. He urged stakeholders at the workshop to make substantive contributions to ensure the bill adequately reflected national aspirations.
The proposed National Digital and E-Governance Bill seeks to provide a unified governance framework for Nigeria’s digital economy. Its provisions cover emerging technologies, digital infrastructure, literacy, and innovation, while also mandating the transition of government records from paper-based systems to electronic platforms. Officials say the move is expected to accelerate full digital transformation across ministries, enhance efficiency in service delivery, and position Nigeria as a competitive digital hub in Africa.
