The National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has called on stakeholders in the country’s digital ecosystem to work together in harnessing Nigeria’s vast potential in the global digital economy.
Dr. Olatunji made the call while delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Chief Executive Officers of parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy at the opening of the 2025 Digital Nigeria International Conference in Abuja.
He described the gathering as a defining moment for Nigeria’s digital transformation journey, stressing that collaboration, innovation, and strategic leadership are essential for national and global competitiveness.
“Nigeria stands at a critical juncture where our collective ability to innovate and cooperate will determine how far we go in the global digital race,” he said.
Highlighting the exponential expansion of the global digital economy, Dr. Olatunji noted that over 18.8 billion connected devices are serving a population of 8.2 billion people worldwide—an indicator of how technology continues to reshape commerce, governance, and human interaction.
He added that Nigeria possesses the human and material capacity to become a leading digital hub but must overcome fragmentation across sectors by fostering synergy and shared vision.
Describing Nigeria’s 65 percent youth population as a powerful demographic advantage, Olatunji observed that young Nigerians are highly tech-driven and naturally positioned to lead innovation.
“Technology is the only language they understand,” he remarked, urging policymakers, entrepreneurs, and investors to provide platforms that channel youth creativity into productive innovation and digital disruption.
Drawing from global examples such as Uber, Booking.com, and Amazon, he explained how digital platforms have redefined industries by leveraging technology rather than physical assets, and challenged Nigeria to adopt similar scalable models.
Dr. Olatunji also hailed the recent public hearing on the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill at the National Assembly as a milestone in institutionalising Nigeria’s digital transformation. He said the bill, once enacted, would establish a unified framework for digital governance, cybersecurity, and electronic transactions, enabling the nation to achieve measurable progress in its digital agenda.
He further commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his early policy commitment to the technology sector, citing the prompt signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, and applauded Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, for his “technocratic leadership and ability to unite stakeholders around a shared national vision.”
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Olatunji urged participants at the three-day conference to “embrace collaboration, innovation, and disruption,” expressing confidence that the outcomes of the event would shape the trajectory of Nigeria’s digital future.
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