In a packed hall in Abuja, as the 2025 Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition officially kicked off, Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima painted a vivid picture of a nation on the cusp of a historic transformation.
Against the backdrop of the conference theme, “Innovation for a Sustainable Digital Future: Accelerating Growth, Inclusion, and Global Competitiveness,” VP Shettima shared a vision of a digitally empowered Nigeria, where technology touches every sector and every citizen.
At the heart of this vision is the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, which Shettima described as more than legislation; it is “a strategic leap toward embedding technology into the fabric of governance, economic planning, and national development.”
Drawing a parallel with Nigeria’s cashless policy, which ignited the fintech revolution, he declared, “Just as the cashless policy unlocked the fintech revolution, this new bill will unlock the govtech revolution, an era of smarter governance, greater transparency, and inclusive service delivery.”
He highlighted complementary initiatives, from integrating digital literacy into school curricula to digitizing the informal sector and rolling out the 3 Million Technical Talent Program, aimed at developing world-class expertise.
Addressing young Nigerians directly, the VP called them the “lifewire of our nation,” urging them to embrace innovation and turn possibilities into profits.
Shettima also showcased ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Broadband Superhighway and initiatives like Bridge and 7-7-4, which aim to ensure equal digital access for startups from Gusau to Lagos. He emphasized that equitable connectivity is not only fair but essential for national competitiveness in the digital age.
The Vice President lauded Nigeria’s emergence as a leading fintech hub, stressing that the bill will unify legal frameworks for digital governance, e-transactions, and cybersecurity, while strengthening institutions like NITDA, NCC, and NDPC.
Painting a picture of the future, Shettima envisioned farmers accessing real-time market data, young women in rural communities working remotely for global companies, and universities producing graduates ready to thrive in a digital economy.
The event attracted Nigeria’s top technology and policy leaders, including Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy; Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, DG/CEO of NITDA; Dr. Aminu Wada of NCC; Dr. Vincent Olatunji of NDPC; and Professor Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu of the National Universities Commission, alongside senior government officials, diplomats, service chiefs, and industry leaders.
Declaring the conference open, Shettima urged participants to seize the moment, asserting that digital innovation is the language of Nigeria’s long-term stability and a key driver of opportunity, inclusion, and prosperity for all citizens.
