By Lukman Oladokun
The National Commissioner, Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has urged stakeholders in the digital economy to unite in unlocking Nigeria’s vast potential in the sector.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of all Chief Executive Officers of parastatals under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy at the opening of the 2025 Digital Nigeria International Conference, he emphasised that the country stands at a critical juncture where collaboration and innovation are essential to achieving global competitiveness.
Highlighting the exponential growth of the global digital economy, Dr. Olatunji noted that there are currently over 18.8 billion connected devices serving a global population of 8.2 billion people. This, he said, underscores the transformative power of technology in business, communication, and governance.
He stressed that Nigeria possesses both the human and material resources to lead in this space but must overcome the challenge of fragmentation by fostering synergy across sectors.
Dr. Olatunji described the country’s youthful population—65% of whom are tech-savvy as a strategic advantage that must be harnessed. “Technology is the only language they understand,” he said, calling for platforms like the conference to channel their energy toward innovation and disruption.
Citing global tech disruptors like Uber, Booking.com, and Amazon as examples of how technology can redefine industries without owning traditional assets, he urged Nigeria to adopt similar models.
He also referenced the recent public hearing at the National Assembly on the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, describing it as a landmark step toward institutionalising Nigeria’s digital transformation.
According to him, the bill will provide a unified legal framework for digital governance, cybersecurity, and electronic transactions, enabling the country to make a measurable impact both locally and globally.
While lauding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his early commitment to the tech ecosystem evidenced by the swift signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, Dr. Olatunji also commended the leadership of the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, for his technocratic approach and ability to unite stakeholders around a shared vision.
He concluded by calling on all participants to embrace the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and disruption. “We must come together, cooperate, and push Nigeria into its rightful place in the global digital economy,” he said, expressing optimism that the outcomes of the three-day conference would shape the nation’s digital future.