FG to invest N12bn in digital research projects — Minister

The Federal Government has revealed its intention to allocate N12 billion towards research initiatives in the digital economy, with the goal of ensuring that the nation benefits from digital transformation.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, announced this during the opening ceremony of the 18th edition of the International Conference on Theory and Practices of Electronic Governance in Abuja on Tuesday. The conference, themed ‘Shaping the Future of Digital Governance Through Cooperation, Innovation and Inclusion,’ was organized by the National Information Technology Development Agency.

Tijani stated that platforms like ICEGOV offer countries the chance to investigate the possibilities of emerging technologies while aligning them with effective policies that meet societal demands, as reported by Vanguard.

He emphasized that Nigeria’s involvement in the 2024 edition of ICEGOV highlights the necessity of enhancing research in the digital economy, noting that the country’s remarkable performance has instilled confidence in international partners to host the 2025 conference.

He stated, “The Nigerian government is not just doing this as a show because immediately after ICEGOV last year, we funded over 55 research projects.

“At the minute, we are putting together about N12 billion to fund further research projects that are focused on the digital economy.

“We are setting up three research clusters of six universities, each one focused on artificial intelligence, and another focused on the biggest issue in our nation today, which is connectivity, where we are investing significantly.
“Thirdly, because of our population, we are also funding another research cluster that is focused on digital skills and literacy.’’

He additionally remarked that digital technologies have become essential to human life, emphasizing that any society that neglects to adopt them risks falling behind in terms of development.

He stressed that these technologies should not be regarded solely as economic facilitators but as significant tools for transforming and managing contemporary societies.

In a similar vein, the Chair of the ICEGOV Steering Committee, Elsa Estevez, stated that artificial intelligence and its associated risks necessitate enhanced collaboration among nations, institutions, and all tiers of government.

Estevez remarked, "In recent years, we have been significantly influenced by innovations driven by digital technology, and we frequently adapt to them without sufficient contemplation, as these innovations profoundly alter the ways we interact socially, work, construct, and enhance our capabilities.

“We need to ensure that innovations are not just technological, but human-centred and contribute to better societies.

“For inclusion, governments, states need to listen and moderate discussions about public affairs, shape political agendas to respond to uncovered needs, secure the digital space of discussions on fake speech, fake news, and political manipulation.’’

She articulated that the protection of the public digital environment relies on effective regulation, education, and public awareness—rooted in robust information ethics.

Additionally, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Malam Kashifu Inuwa, revealed that the federal government intends to incorporate digital literacy into the national school curriculum by 2026.

Inuwa stated that this initiative aims to ensure that the technological advancement of Nigeria’s youthful demographic is in harmony with the government’s digital development strategies.

"In Africa, we possess a predominantly young population; our citizens are digitally savvy and are extensively online, thus it is imperative for governments to engage with them in their digital spaces.

"Numerous initiatives exist in Nigeria, guided by the ministry’s knowledge policy, including the digital literacy framework, which focuses on embedding digital literacy within our formal education system.

"Currently, we have received approval in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and under the directive of the President, indicating that by next year, digital literacy and skills should be integrated into our formal education system," Inuwa remarked.

He further emphasized that the government is enacting measures to ensure that public servants develop digital literacy skills, highlighting that this would enhance efficiency and improve service delivery throughout the public sector.

In May, Tijanin announced that the National Digital Economy Bill was poised to return to the National Assembly for its second and third readings following extensive consultations across all 36 states of the federation.

Originally introduced in 2024, the bill aims to create a comprehensive legal framework for Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.

It addresses critical areas such as electronic transactions, data protection, cybersecurity, and the development of digital infrastructure, with the goal of promoting innovation and ensuring safe, inclusive participation in the nation’s digital transformation journey.