A Digital Renaissance: Nigeria’s Leap into a Prosperous Future

Nigeria

Feature – By Terwase Gbande 

Over the past two years, Nigeria has witnessed an inspiring transformation in its digital landscape, largely driven by the visionary leadership of Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy. His efforts align closely with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which seeks to rejuvenate Nigeria through innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable growth. Within this national framework, regional initiatives such as the strides made by the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC) under the leadership of Terwase Gbande, and supported by His Excellency, Fr. Hyacinth Alia, the Executive Governor of Benue State, further exemplify the spirit of localized impact within the broader digital revolution.

The minister’s clear and ambitious blueprint—a social contract with Nigerians—has catalyzed efforts to equip citizens with the digital skills and infrastructure essential for the modern economy. In this regard, the collaboration with BDIC stands out as a powerful model for regional digital development, effectively expanding high-speed connectivity and digital access across Benue State. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to harness technology as a tool for economic transformation and social inclusion.

On the national scale, over 125,000 young Nigerians have been trained through the 3MTT Programme, while an additional 225,000 individuals have acquired critical digital literacy skills. Programs that promote the inclusion of young women and secondary school students, like the “Builda-thon” and Girls in ICT, demonstrate how leadership at the federal level nurtures talent and empowers the next generation of innovators.

A core priority throughout this period has been extending connectivity to every corner of Nigeria. Minister Tijani has championed projects like BRIDGE, which rolls out 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable to reach every state, local government, and ward. Satellite technology, through Project 774, connects local government secretariats, while the deployment of telecom towers in underserved areas promises to link an additional 20 million Nigerians who have historically lacked access.

In places like Benue State, the efforts of BDIC are a vital complement to these federal projects. Under Terwase Gbande’s leadership and with Governor Hyacinth Alia’s support, BDIC is enhancing infrastructure to deliver reliable internet services that empower local businesses, government offices, and communities. This collaboration underscores the multiplier effect when national policy and local leadership work in harmony toward the same vision.

Beyond infrastructure, the nurturing of innovation ecosystems nationwide—including the Digital Innovation Park in Kano and multiple computer facilities—provides spaces where young Nigerians can innovate, collaborate, and grow their ideas into viable enterprises. These hubs play a crucial role in fostering Nigeria’s burgeoning tech sector and encouraging entrepreneurship.

Artificial Intelligence has emerged as a key focus area, with Dr. Tijani spearheading the National AI Strategy that has funded 45 startups and supported projects addressing challenges in agriculture, healthcare, security, and education. Nigeria’s aim is not just to use AI but to lead in applying it to real-world problems, boosting national productivity and wellbeing.

Government digital services have also been transformed, with initiatives like DevsInGovernment enhancing civil servants’ digital skills and new Digital Public Infrastructure projects simplifying access to essential services such as passports, licenses, and business registrations. This renewed efficiency builds trust and transparency between government and citizens.

Traditional institutions like NIPOST are being reimagined as integrated platforms for e-commerce, agro-logistics, and digital banking, ensuring that Nigerians in both urban and rural communities are included in the digital economy. This modernization effort embodies the comprehensive approach to development championed at every level of government.

The transformative progress witnessed across Nigeria is a testament to the minister’s leadership, reinforced regionally by figures like Terwase Gbande and Governor Hyacinth Alia in Benue State. Their shared vision and cooperation embody the ethos of President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which envisions a Nigeria where technology drives growth, inclusion, and opportunity. Together, their work is laying the foundation for a digital future that promises prosperity for all Nigerians.A Digital Renaissance: Nigeria’s Leap into a Prosperous Future

Over the past two years, Nigeria has witnessed an inspiring transformation in its digital landscape, largely driven by the visionary leadership of Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy. His efforts align closely with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which seeks to rejuvenate Nigeria through innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable growth. Within this national framework, regional initiatives such as the strides made by the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC) under the leadership of Terwase Gbande, and supported by His Excellency, Fr. Hyacinth Alia, the Executive Governor of Benue State, further exemplify the spirit of localized impact within the broader digital revolution.

The minister’s clear and ambitious blueprint—a social contract with Nigerians—has catalyzed efforts to equip citizens with the digital skills and infrastructure essential for the modern economy. In this regard, the collaboration with BDIC stands out as a powerful model for regional digital development, effectively expanding high-speed connectivity and digital access across Benue State. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to harness technology as a tool for economic transformation and social inclusion.

On the national scale, over 125,000 young Nigerians have been trained through the 3MTT Programme, while an additional 225,000 individuals have acquired critical digital literacy skills. Programs that promote the inclusion of young women and secondary school students, like the “Builda-thon” and Girls in ICT, demonstrate how leadership at the federal level nurtures talent and empowers the next generation of innovators.

A core priority throughout this period has been extending connectivity to every corner of Nigeria. Minister Tijani has championed projects like BRIDGE, which rolls out 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable to reach every state, local government, and ward. Satellite technology, through Project 774, connects local government secretariats, while the deployment of telecom towers in underserved areas promises to link an additional 20 million Nigerians who have historically lacked access.

In places like Benue State, the efforts of BDIC are a vital complement to these federal projects. Under Terwase Gbande’s leadership and with Governor Hyacinth Alia’s support, BDIC is enhancing infrastructure to deliver reliable internet services that empower local businesses, government offices, and communities. This collaboration underscores the multiplier effect when national policy and local leadership work in harmony toward the same vision.

Beyond infrastructure, the nurturing of innovation ecosystems nationwide—including the Digital Innovation Park in Kano and multiple computer facilities—provides spaces where young Nigerians can innovate, collaborate, and grow their ideas into viable enterprises. These hubs play a crucial role in fostering Nigeria’s burgeoning tech sector and encouraging entrepreneurship.

Artificial Intelligence has emerged as a key focus area, with Dr. Tijani spearheading the National AI Strategy that has funded 45 startups and supported projects addressing challenges in agriculture, healthcare, security, and education. Nigeria’s aim is not just to use AI but to lead in applying it to real-world problems, boosting national productivity and wellbeing.

Government digital services have also been transformed, with initiatives like DevsInGovernment enhancing civil servants’ digital skills and new Digital Public Infrastructure projects simplifying access to essential services such as passports, licenses, and business registrations. This renewed efficiency builds trust and transparency between government and citizens.

Traditional institutions like NIPOST are being reimagined as integrated platforms for e-commerce, agro-logistics, and digital banking, ensuring that Nigerians in both urban and rural communities are included in the digital economy. This modernization effort embodies the comprehensive approach to development championed at every level of government.

The transformative progress witnessed across Nigeria is a testament to the minister’s leadership, reinforced regionally by figures like Terwase Gbande and Governor Hyacinth Alia in Benue State. Their shared vision and cooperation embody the ethos of President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which envisions a Nigeria where technology drives growth, inclusion, and opportunity. Together, their work is laying the foundation for a digital future that promises prosperity for all Nigerians.

Terwase Gbande is the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer,

Benue Digital Infrastructure Company, BDIC, PLC

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