In a groundbreaking move, Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, has unveiled a comprehensive strategic blueprint for Nigeria’s development from 2023 to 2027. This visionary plan hinges on harnessing the potential of digital technology and innovation to transform and diversify the nation’s economy. Here, we delve into the critical aspects of this ambitious roadmap that seeks to propel Nigeria into a digital age of prosperity.

Five Key Pillars of Transformation

Tijani’s strategic agenda revolves around five pivotal pillars:

1. Knowledge: A central focus is on enhancing knowledge through training and education. The plan aims to train a whopping 3 million technical talents by 2027, working closely with stakeholders to facilitate job placements for these skilled individuals.

2. Policy: The government’s multifaceted approach includes fostering a digital-friendly policy environment to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.

3. Infrastructure: The plan prioritizes improving digital infrastructure and ensuring universal access to digital resources to bolster Nigeria’s digital readiness.

4. Innovation: Nigeria seeks to become a global player in innovation, targeting the top 25 percentile in key areas like artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial vehicles, IoT, robotics, blockchain, and additive manufacturing by 2027.

5. Entrepreneurship Capital and Trade: To boost the growth of startups, the government plans to raise capital by 50 percent year-on-year, aiming to increase it from $1 billion/year in 2022 to a remarkable $5 billion/year by 2027. Additionally, the plan aspires to increase the domiciliation of local technology startups from less than 1 percent to 25 percent by 2027.

Digital Literacy and Broadband Expansion

The strategic blueprint also places significant emphasis on digital literacy and broadband expansion:

1. Digital Literacy: The government aims to achieve a digital literacy rate of 70 percent by 2027 through an extensive educational program, improved digital infrastructure, and universal access to digital resources.

2. Broadband Penetration: Nigeria’s broadband penetration rate, currently at 45 percent as per the Nigeria Communication Commission, is targeted to soar to 70 percent by the close of 2025, bringing digital connectivity to more citizens.

Fiber Optic Connectivity and Government Data Digitization

To ensure widespread access and streamline governance, the plan includes these key components:

1. Fiber Optic Cable Deployment: The Federal Government intends to lay an impressive 95,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable across the nation, aiming for 75 percent coverage by 2027.

2. Government Data Digitalization: The plan commits to digitizing at least 60 percent of relevant government data by the end of 2026, bolstering efficiency and transparency in public administration.

AI Industry Growth and Telecommunications Sector Contribution

In anticipation of the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, the blueprint targets:

1. AI Industry Jobs: Over the next decade, the plan foresees the creation of more than 50,000 jobs in Nigeria’s AI industry by 2030.

2. Telecommunications Sector Contribution: The telecommunications sector is expected to significantly boost Nigeria’s economy, with a projected net GDP contribution of 22 percent by the end of 2027.

In essence, Bosun Tijani’s visionary strategic agenda for 2023-2027 maps out a bold path for Nigeria’s digital transformation, promising to drive economic growth, foster innovation, and improve the lives of its citizens through increased digital access and technological advancement. This ambitious plan sets the stage for an exciting digital future for Nigeria.