Tinubu backs digital economy for youth empowerment, job creation

• Published On: 25 February 2025 at 18:25

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to developing Nigeria's digital economy, emphasizing its importance in terms of youth empowerment and job creation.

President Tinubu made the commitment on Monday at the State House in Abuja, while receiving a report titled "Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment, and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities," presented by Kuru participants in the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies' Senior Executive Course 46.

In their eight-point recommendation, the course participants urged the federal government to expedite the passage of the Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill 2024 and encourage states to waive Right of Way fees for telecom infrastructure deployment.

They also recommended that the President issue an Executive Order directing all MDAs to use the OneGov.ng portal.

Participants advocated for the implementation of a Quintuple-Helix Model to boost the digital economy, empower youth, and create long-term job opportunities.

Other recommendations included ensuring long-term funding for the 3MTT scheme, accelerating the transition from IPv4 to IPv6, establishing Digital Health Innovation Hubs across Nigeria, and developing a preventive maintenance application for the automotive industry.

In response, President Tinubu directed the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy to work with the group and present their recommendations to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Head of the Civil Service for coordinated implementation.

"At the heart of our administration is youth empowerment. We cannot give up on that, and we need everyone's help.

"I have carefully considered your recommendations and the thorough work you completed. We will continue to use the Institute as a resource center and think tank.

"As Nigeria's leading policy think tank, you've brought up the overlap of some government agencies, which we'll look into.

"You are an asset to our country, and I appreciate the participants' dedication to their studies. "We will continue to work with you for the prosperity of our country," he stated.

President Tinubu emphasized the importance of data in national planning, informing the meeting that he had previously met with officials from the National Population Commission (NPC) to discuss the upcoming census.

Prof. Ayo Omotayo, the Director-General of NIPSS, previously stated that during the year-long engagement, course participants conducted study tours across Nigeria and abroad to investigate the theme of their research.

"We recognise that in an era where technology drives innovation, Nigeria must aggressively leverage its young population to create a thriving ecosystem." The opportunities are limitless, ranging from Fintech to Agritech, E-Commerce to Artificial Intelligence.

"Systemic issues, such as infrastructure deficiencies, insufficient digital skills, and regulatory bottlenecks, must be addressed.

"Our findings highlight the critical need for targeted policies to create an enabling environment for startups, improve access to finance, and increase broadband penetration.

"We believe that with your administration's continued support, Nigeria will fully unlock the potential of the digital economy and create millions of sustainable jobs for our teeming youth," he told reporters.

In his remarks, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani announced that the Digital Economy Bill, which is currently before the National Assembly, will be subjected to public hearings in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory before being passed in the second quarter of 2025.

He stated that this is the first time legislation has undergone such a thorough review.

The Minister also announced that 11 states have responded to the federal government's request to waive Right of Way fees, a move aimed at speeding up broadband infrastructure expansion.

He expressed confidence that all states would support the initiative by the end of the Tinubu administration's second year.

Meanwhile, Wale Edun, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, stated that the ICT sector would contribute 16% of Nigeria's GDP in 2024.

He reiterated the government's commitment to promoting the sector as a key driver of economic stability and job creation.