FG Commits ₦12bn to Strengthen Digital Governance, Research, and Skills Development

The Federal Government has unveiled plans to invest ₦12 billion in digital economy research projects as part of efforts to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation and ensure sustainable technological advancement.

Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, announced this on Tuesday at the 18th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV 2025) in Abuja. The event, themed “Shaping the Future of Digital Governance Through Cooperation, Innovation, and Inclusion,” was organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

Tijani explained that ICEGOV serves as a global platform for countries to explore the potential of emerging technologies while crafting policies that address local and societal challenges. He said Nigeria’s active participation in ICEGOV 2024 earned the nation the confidence of global partners to host the 2025 edition of the conference.

“The Nigerian government is not just doing this as a show,” Tijani said. “After ICEGOV last year, we funded over 55 research projects. We are now putting together about ₦12 billion to finance additional projects focused on the digital economy.”

He revealed that the government will establish three major research clusters comprising six universities each — focusing on artificial intelligence, digital connectivity, and digital skills and literacy — to strengthen innovation and research in these areas.

The minister stressed that digital technologies are now central to modern life and governance, warning that societies failing to embrace them risk lagging behind in development. He described these technologies as not merely economic tools, but as powerful instruments for shaping the future of governance and human interaction.

In her remarks, Prof. Elsa Estevez, Chair of the ICEGOV Steering Committee, called for stronger international collaboration to address the risks and ethical challenges of artificial intelligence. She emphasized that technological innovation must remain human-centred and inclusive, urging governments to protect digital spaces from misinformation, fake news, and manipulation through robust regulation, education, and public awareness.

Also speaking, NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, announced that the Federal Government plans to integrate digital literacy into Nigeria’s national school curriculum by 2026. He explained that this initiative, supported by the Ministry of Education, aims to prepare Nigeria’s young and digitally active population for opportunities in the evolving global digital economy.

“In Africa, we have a very young, digitally native population,” Inuwa said. “Governments must meet them where they are — online. By next year, digital literacy and skills will be part of formal education in Nigeria.”

Inuwa added that public servants are also being trained in digital skills to improve efficiency and service delivery across government institutions.

The announcement aligns with the Federal Government’s broader National Digital Economy Bill, currently before the National Assembly for its second and third readings. The bill seeks to create a comprehensive legal framework covering electronic transactions,