Nigeria’s digital economy is pivotal to the nation’s economic transformation, job creation, and national security, and young people must take the lead in driving this change.
This was the central message from stakeholders at a high-level seminar focused on advancing national development through cutting-edge information technology.
Chairman of the House Committee on Solid Minerals, Honourable Gaza Jonathan, who represents Karu, Keffi, and Kokona Federal Constituency, underscored the urgency of embracing digital innovation as a key route to sustainable development.
Speaking on Friday in his capacity as Chairman of the Occasion at the seminar organised by the Association of Applied Information Management Professionals (AAIMP), themed “Powering Nigeria’s Digital Economy Through Advanced Information Management Paradigms”, Jonathan described digital transformation as “the bridge between today’s challenges and tomorrow’s prosperity.”
“For Nigeria to succeed in the global digital economy, our youth must be at the forefront — mastering information management and using technology to generate opportunities both locally and internationally.
“You will save Nigeria. Technology is already addressing revenue leakages and transforming infrastructure. We must go beyond building local products to creating global solutions. With just a smartphone, one can establish a business worth ₦250 million,” he told participants.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Peter Olumuji, Secretary of the Command-and-Control Centre at the Federal Capital Territory Administration, emphasised the global shift from traditional to digital economies.
Dr Olumuji noted that Nigeria is already aligning with this transition through the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, under the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy. He stressed that the youth are inherently positioned to lead this digital shift.
He recalled the pivotal role of digital platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic, stating: “That period revealed the immense power of the digital economy. To maximise its potential, Nigeria must invest in robust broadband infrastructure across both urban and rural areas.”
The Vice Chancellor of Bingham University, Professor Haruna Ayuba, also described the seminar as both timely and impactful, highlighting education as the engine of digital innovation.
“To fully harness digital opportunities, we must rethink our strategies to integrate emerging technologies such as cloud computing, blockchain, and big data analytics,” he said.
Professor Ayuba reaffirmed Bingham University’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital development agenda through research, innovation, and partnerships. He encouraged attendees to collaborate with professional bodies, technology firms, and international organisations to foster a resilient digital ecosystem.
Dean of the Faculty of Computing at Bingham University, Dr Adamu Suleiman Usman, stressed the need for data harmonisation and cybersecurity in national development.
“We can no longer afford disjointed data systems. Agencies like NIMC and CAC must integrate their databases. We require infrastructure capable of supporting 250 million Nigerians, beginning with a nationwide fibre-optic backbone. Our data sovereignty is tied to where our information is stored and who has access to it,” he warned.
Dr Usman also urged Nigerian youth to explore predictive analytics and real-time decision-making tools to fuel innovation.
In his goodwill message, Major General Chris Olukolade (Rtd), Chairman of the Centre for Crisis Communication, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the strategic role of structured, real-time information in national security and emergency response.
“Reliable, well-coordinated information is not only useful; it is lifesaving. The success of our digital economy hinges on how effectively we manage and utilise our evolving information infrastructure,” he said.
