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Tag: Dr. Bosun Tijani

  • Tinubu’s ambition to build $1tr digital economy not rhetoric, says minister

    Tinubu’s ambition to build $1tr digital economy not rhetoric, says minister

    The Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration towards building a $1 trillion digital economy.

    He said the government’s commitment was not mere rhetoric but a determination.

    Tijani said the Tinubu administration has remained clear, consistent, and deliberate about its vision of achieving shared prosperity for Nigerians, including the ambition to build a $1 trillion economy.

    He said the government has, within a short period, built strong institutions with regulatory powers to support the commitment.

    The minister stressed that the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) was one of such institutions with the requisite capacity for data protection and building digital trust as key pillars for Nigeria’s digital transformation and economic growth.

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    Tijani said this while addressing reporters at this year’s edition of the Global Privacy Day at AATC Hotel in Abuja.

    The minister hailed the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) for its leadership in driving conversations around data privacy and protection.

    He noted that although the commission has existed for less than three years, it has emerged as a strong institution within government and society.

    Tijani stressed that technology remains central to achieving the goal of $1 trillion economy as it enables economic growth, infrastructure development, job creation, and improved public services.

    “Our responsibility at the ministry is to ensure that digital technology serves as an enabler of shared prosperity, not just prosperity for a few, but for every Nigerian,” he said.

    Tijani highlighted several flagship projects under the ministry, including the Bridge Project, which aims to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic infrastructure nationwide, and MilCAP, an agro-connectivity initiative targeting the deployment of about 4,000 telecommunications towers in rural areas.

    The minister also announced the government’s plans to procure two additional communication satellites for the country through NigComSat.

    He stressed that Nigeria is currently the only country in West Africa with a functional communication satellite.

    Commenting on human capital development, Tijani said Nigeria runs the largest technology talent accelerator in Africa, designed to build a workforce capable of competing and creating value in the global digital economy.

    The minister stressed that increased connectivity comes with increased responsibility, especially in protecting citizens’ data.

    “Data protection and privacy are the foundation of trust. Without trust, our digital economy cannot succeed,” he said.

    The National Commissioner/CEO of NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, outlined the achievements of the commission within the past three years, saying over N5.2 billion has been generated through the commission into government coffers.

    According to him, no fewer than 23,000 jobs have been created within the data privacy ecosystem, as the value of data protection ecosystem has peaked at about N16.2 billion.

    He said the commission had carried out and concluded investigations on 246 data protection and privacy breaches by various institutions, while appropriate sanctions had been meted out to the affected institutions.

    The NDPC boss stated that about 8,155 compliance audit returns have been filed by the Commission, while training programmes have been organised for various categories of Compliance Officers across the country.

    Olatunji also said the NDPC launched the Youth Data Protection Awareness & Training Programme in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to empower 5,000 Nigerian youths with digital literacy and data privacy skills.

    He added that more collaborations were still ongoing with the governments of Bauchi, Benue, Ondo, and Ekiti states for awareness creation and training programmes on data protection and privacy.

  • Minister leads digital trade mission to Sierra Leone, signs MoU to strengthen bilateral cooperation

    Minister leads digital trade mission to Sierra Leone, signs MoU to strengthen bilateral cooperation

    Nigeria and the government of Sierra Leone have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation, promote digital inclusion and boost the economies of the two countries. 

    The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, led a high-level Nigerian delegation to Sierra Leone for the Nigeria–Sierra Leone Digital Economy Bilateral Trade Mission.

    According to a statement emanating from the Minister’s office in Abuja, the top level discussions culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation across digital public infrastructure, digital trade, cybersecurity, youth innovation, and technology transfer.

     “This engagement comes on the heels of Dr. Tijani’s participation in the Regional Summit on Digital Transformation in Benin Republic, reinforcing Nigeria’s proactive leadership in shaping West Africa’s digital future”, the statement noted. 

    It added that the mission featured ecosystem hub tours, press engagements, technical sessions, and Government-to-Government deliberations hosted by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Communication, Technology & Innovation, Hon. Salima Monorma Bah. 

    The government statement reads in part, “Discussions focused on digital trade coordination, cybersecurity collaboration, skills development, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) development, reflecting the shared ambition of both nations to accelerate regional digital integration. 

    “Following two days of bilateral engagements, both countries reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening regional integration, expanding digital infrastructure, and building a more innovative, resilient, and inclusive West African economy. 

    “Specific highlights of the discussions include, Strengthened Bilateral Cooperation

    Both Governments agreed to enhance collaboration across priority areas of mutual interest, including:

    Digital public infrastructure and interoperable government systems, broadband expansion and resilient connectivity, digital identity, cybersecurity, and data governance,

    Artificial Intelligence development and responsible innovation.”

    Others are “Digital literacy, talent development, and institutional capacity building

    Cross-border digital trade and private-sector partnerships”

    On the MoU, the statement noted that the governments of Nigeria and Sierra Leone signed MoUs establishing structured cooperation on:

    Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)

    Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies

    Talent development and digital skills

    Broadband infrastructure and spectrum collaboration.

    It said private-sector companies were not left out in the engagements from both countries as they signed multiple partnerships and MoUs.  

    The government said the MoUs also touched expansion of digital services across markets, 

    Strengthening fintech, edtech, healthtech, govtech and cloud solutions, Driving joint innovation projects, Supporting startup exchange and enterprise growth

    “Nigeria remains fully committed to enabling a more harmonised, secure, and innovative digital region. Our partnership with Sierra Leone is not only a bilateral engagement, it is part of a broader vision to ensure that technology, talent, and trade flow seamlessly across our continent,” Dr. Tijani said. 

     He qouted his Sierra Leonian counterpart as saying that “Together, we are laying the foundations for a digital economy that empowers our young people and creates shared prosperity”.

    According to Dr Tijani, the Sierra Leone’s Minister of Communication, Technology & Innovation, welcomed the cooperation, and highlighted its potential to accelerate Sierra Leone’s digital transformation.

     She stressed the need for both countries to build their relationship and shared history towards accelerating the continent’s digital economy, Dr Tijani said. 

    According to the statement, the Mission’s emphasis on private-sector collaboration was further demonstrated by the participation of leading Nigerian technology companies, including IHS Towers, Flutterwave, CcHUB, Miden, Cybervergent, Prunedge, Itana, and Awarri, whose presence highlighted Nigeria’s depth of innovation capacity and commitment to fostering regional investment flows. 

    “These companies engaged Sierra Leonean counterparts in structured B2B matchmaking sessions designed to stimulate cross-border partnerships, digital infrastructure development, and knowledge exchange”, noted the government. 

    The Nigerian delegation included agency heads from the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy including Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA); Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, Managing Director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB).

    Others are Dr. Olubunmi Ajala, National Coordinator, National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR); and Victoria Fabunmi, National Coordinator, Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI).

  • FG to equip 12 universities with high-fibre internet, 24-hour electricity

    FG to equip 12 universities with high-fibre internet, 24-hour electricity

    No fewer than twelve federal universities will benefit from high-fibre digital infrastructure before the end of the year, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy Dr. Bosun Tijani announced on Wednesday.

    In addition, some Nigerian universities are set to begin enjoying 24-hour electricity supply to enhance teaching, research, and learning on campuses, according to the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa.

    Dr. Tijani disclosed this at the commissioning of a High-Fibre Digital Facility at the University of Abuja’s old Boys Hostel. He said the initiative aims to equip students with digital skills and access needed to explore emerging opportunities in the global tech ecosystem before graduation.

    Citing examples of young Nigerians who have successfully built billion-dollar online payment firms, Dr. Tijani urged students to leverage the digital infrastructure being provided by the current administration to develop themselves and build a future in tech.

    The project is a collaboration between the federal government, Galaxy Backbone Nigeria Ltd, Huawei Technologies Nigeria, and other tech firms. It will deliver free Wi-Fi services across campuses, serving as a digital equalizer for students.

    Present at the inauguration were the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa; the National Commissioner for the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Dr. Vincent Olatunji; the Managing Director of NigComSat, Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen; and the Postmaster General of the Federation, Mrs. Tola Odeyemi.

    Also the Vice chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof Patricia Lar and the institution’s Registrar and the Managing Director of Huawei Technologies Nigeria, Mr Teorens Wu attended the event.

    Dr Tijani further said digital inclusion was necessary especially for the students to navigate contemporary challenges and become successful in the digital space without waiting for white collar jobs on graduation.

    He said the University was the first of the seven universities for the first phase of the pilot scheme. And that by the end of June, they would have connected the seven universities for the first phase.

    “This initiative we are launching here today is the first of the seven in a pilot scheme, and by the end of July, we will have connected the seven universities”, he said.

    “Galaxy Backbone has the infrastructure in place already; all we are doing is to take the fibre to hostels,” the Minister added.

    “Your challenge today is what you do with the knowledge that you’re being given. And this is why to actualise the dream of our president, we’ve taught it to be important that Nigerian university students cannot continue to learn without access to meaningful connectivity.

    “It is unacceptable because we know when we give you this access that not only are you going to be better in what you’re learning, but you’re actually going to create the future that our president is asking that we create as a nation”, Dr Tijani said.

     Dr. Alausa, on his part, noted that the University was a special institution selected by the government to enjoy a 24-hour power supply. And that other special institutions will enjoy 24hrs power before the end of 2026.

    “The president is energising institutions. We have special institutions in the country today enjoying 24-hour electricity via the presidential renewable mini-grid project, the solarisation project.

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    “The University of Abuja is one of the beneficiaries. You have a 3.3 megahertz mini-grid here and everybody can attest to it now that you have a 24-hour electricity supply.

    “The president is not stopping there. Before the end of next year, all the special institutions will have a mini-grid. You will all enjoy a 24-hour electricity supply, “Dr Alausa said.

    The Acting Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, Prof. Patricia Lar in her welcome address described the project as a laudable one that would benefit the school community.

     “It’s a special initiative that’s going to create opportunities for students of all economic status to access data to be able to use for knowledge and education, and to feed their creativity with ease.

    “We are grateful for deploying fibre to our hostels. This also works with the solar power backup that has been installed in our campus,” she said. 

  • Plateau set to become tech hub, as FG, state partner to empower youth

    Plateau set to become tech hub, as FG, state partner to empower youth

    The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has announced a strategic partnership with Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, to transform the iconic  Nigeria Standard nine story building into a state-of-the-art digital hub aimed at creating employment opportunities and empowering young talents across the state.

    Speaking during a courtesy visit to the governor at the Twin Theatre, New Government House, Rayfield, Jos, Dr. Tijani said the initiative aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Mutfwang to equip Plateau youths with cutting-edge digital skills that will enhance national productivity and economic growth.

    The minister disclosed that Plateau State has been selected as one of the pilot locations for the deployment of 7,000 new telecom towers across the country, which is an ambitious federal initiative designed to extend connectivity to underserved areas and bolster national security infrastructure.

    “Your Excellency, we recognise your efforts. Whatever it takes to make this vision a reality, we will pursue it. We see in Plateau State the key to Nigeria’s success. Think about the creative sectors that have elevated our national profile; many of those talents emerged from Jos. This city is welcoming, hospitable, and brimming with potential,” Dr. Tijani remarked.

    He further recalled his longstanding affinity with Plateau, stating: “Your passion has drawn me to this state. Since our meeting in Sweden, we have been working on concrete plans to advance technological innovation in Plateau State.”

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    “Imagine the transformation if every corner of Plateau is digitally connected. Smart technology can revolutionise agriculture, healthcare, and security. For a city like Jos, digital connectivity is not optional, it is essential,” he stated further.

    Dr. Tijani also highlighted the pivotal role of fiber-optic networks, satellite technology, and digital skill development in achieving Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a one trillion-dollar digital economy. He unveiled plans to launch a Talent City Project in Jos and promote Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) to provide sustainable career pathways for the youth.

    He called for increased enrollment of Plateau youths in the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme, a flagship national initiative aimed at building a robust and globally competitive tech workforce.

    Responding, Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the Minister’s visit as timely and strategic encounter, echoing his administration’s vision of positioning Plateau as a hub for digital innovation.

    “I’m particularly encouraged by your thoughts on linking technology and security,” the Governor stated.

  • Nigeria’s digital infrastructures will boost growth and investment in West Africa, says Minister

    Nigeria’s digital infrastructures will boost growth and investment in West Africa, says Minister

    The federal government said on Thursday that its current huge investments in digital infrastructures are meant to drive growth and investments in the economies of West African countries.

    The Minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who spoke in Abuja, said the present administration is committed to supporting a robust and equitable digital landscape in the sub-region.

    He listed expansion of broadband infrastructure projects, the championing of sub-sea cable resilience projects, promotion of data safety and privacy and acceleration of digital literacy as commitments that would transform the region.

    The Minister made the remarks at the Digital Economy Complex, Mbora, Abuja, during the opening ceremony of the 17th edition of the 5-day West Africa Internet Governance Forum (WAIGF).

    The forum had the theme “Building a Resilient, Inclusive and Safe Digital Future for West Africa” with ICT experts, institutions of government, academics and members of the Organized Private Sector from across West Africa countries in attendance.

    Dr Tijani said the country had different initiatives targeted at developing the digital ecosystem in the country and the region.

    “As the host country, Nigeria is deeply committed to supporting a robust and equitable digital landscape across West Africa.

    “We have initiatives like our Broadband Infrastructure projects, we are championing Sub-sea cable resilience, promoting data protection and privacy, and accelerating digital literacy across the nation.

    “We are also developing our National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and our Digital Public Infrastructure efforts.

    “We are working to deepen, democratise access to the internet, protect users’ rights and enable innovation that uplifts our economies and empowers our people,” the Minister said.

    He explained that achieving internet governance in West Africa cannot be achieved by individual countries, and reminded the participants that such goals would require collaborations.

    Dr Tijani enjoined stakeholders to deepen their efforts in strengthening the foundations of the region’s digital ecosystem.

    “Internet governance is more than a policy conversation, it is about shaping the values and architecture of our digital societies.

    “As we reflect on global processes like the World Summit on the Information Society, Global Digital Compact and regional policy harmonisation efforts, we must put our West African perspectives at the centre,” he said.

    On his part, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Malam Kashifu Inuwa, said cross-border data transfers across regions had made it very important for countries to work together.

    He said that the West African region had the capacity to develop and build on issues around cyber security, internet penetration and governance, as well as harness the benefits of the digital economy.

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    He urged the participants to present better strategies that could help the region progress digitally.

    Also Mrs Mary Uduma, WAIGF Coordinator, said the regional forum would deliberate on issues affecting digital transactions, and other issues which could form discussions at the global level.

     “Today, if you want to pay for any purchase you made within Africa, it might be difficult to use our credit card to pay, even if it is a dollar credit card.

    “We want integration, inclusivity, a safe internet, we want an affordable, reasonable and available internet for all.

    “We want our children to be safe online, because safety is everybody’s call and we want people to be responsible in the use of the internet, which is the way to develop a resilient future for the West Africa Internet Governance Forum,” she said. 

  • ‘Security will deepen financial inclusion’

    ‘Security will deepen financial inclusion’

    The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani has said the security of digital transactions will deepen financial includion in the countrt.

    He said the launch of Airtel’s spam alert service across its African operations, beginning with Nigeria, will ensure safety of its Nigerian customers when connected to the internet via their mobile phones and other smart devices.

    The minister spoke in Lagos yesterday during the launch of the solution, which is Africa’s first spam alert service designed to protect Airtel customers from millions of fraudulent spam messages sent across networks by hackers.

    “Government is facing an urgent demand to diversify the economy and raise the level of productivity across key sectors. To this end, we believe and acknowledge the initiative that leads Artificial Intelligence (AI) as not just an early trend, but a significant catalyst for change. AI, as we know, has the potential to revolutionise so many aspects of our lives.

    “It can help increase how we do diagnosis, transform education by making it more personal, bringing the government closer, as we learn how to protect our citizens from fraudulent practices. More importantly, AI offers countries like ours a chance to explore traditional development challenges and unlock opportunities for growth. I commend Airtel for its continued investment in the Nigerian digital ecosystem and the launch of this AI-powered Spam Alert Service. I personally consider this a significant step towards enhancing online security for millions of Nigerians,” Tijani said.

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    According to him, the initiative aligns with government’s commitment to ensuring universal and meaningful connectivity while safeguarding digital spaces against fraud and cyberattacks.

     “By deploying AI-driven innovations that protect users and build trust, Airtel is contributing to a safer, more prosperous digital economy, one where Nigerians can fully participate with confidence and security,” Tijani further said.

    In his remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, said the NCC had always placed consumer protection at the heart of its regulatory mandate, adding that the commission is pleased to see operators like Airtel taking proactive steps to safeguard their customers. “Nigeria, like many other African nations, has seen a rise in these so-called spam-related scams. The AI-powered solution from Airtel provides a much-needed way of security, using advanced technology to detect and flag suspicious messages before they reach consumers. This aligns with the NCC’s broader commitment to improving the quality of telecom services and advancing consumer trust in the industry,” Maida said.

    Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, said the AI-powered spam alert service was developed to protect customers and keep them in a secure state.

    “So spam, today, is a menace and it is something which is globally recognised.

    About 60 per cent of our consumers receive spam SMS in a month and these are unwanted SMS. For a scam to happen, it starts with a spam message,” Balsingh said.

    Chief Marketing Officer at Airtel Nigeria, Oluwafemi Oshinlaja said over 150 million Airtel subscribers across Africa, would benefit from the solution, beginning from Nigeria.