GITEX Nigeria 2025: FG to Increase ICT Sector’s GDP Contribution to 22% by 2027
By Azeez Disu
The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, outlined the government’s strategy for a digitally powered future and announced plans to increase the contribution of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector to 22% by 2027.
He disclosed this during his speech at the inaugural GITEX Nigeria held in Lagos. He stated that the federal government’s decision aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which envisions using technology not only to grow GDP but also to expand opportunities, reduce inequality, and create shared prosperity for all Nigerians.
Dr. Tijani highlighted Nigeria’s rapid economic transformation driven by technology. He pointed out that Nigeria’s ICT sector has become the fastest-growing contributor to the country’s GDP, increasing from less than 5% a decade ago to consistently contributing between 16-18% today. “It is already surpassing oil and gas,” he noted, adding that the top companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange are now technology firms. The Minister has set an ambitious target to raise the ICT sector’s GDP contribution to 22% by 2027.
“The digital economy is not just about mobile apps or platforms,” Dr. Tijani explained. “It is about technical efficiency and productivity gains that transform entire sectors,” including agriculture, education, and manufacturing.
To realize this vision, the Ministry is leading several key initiatives. Among these is Project Bridge, a flagship 90,000 km fiber optic cable network designed to connect every state, local government, and ward in Nigeria. This foundational infrastructure project is complemented by the 3MTT (Three Million Technical Talent) program, which Dr. Tijani described as one of the largest coordinated skills development programs in the world, aimed at preparing young Nigerians for both local and global job opportunities.
Additionally, in collaboration with the National Assembly, the government is advancing a landmark National Digital Economy and New Governance Bill to ensure trust, security, and accountability in the digital space.
Dr. Tijani emphasized that while the government is laying the foundation through infrastructure, talent development, and forward-looking legislation, it cannot achieve transformation alone. He called on the private sector to take the lead, highlighting initiatives like the AI Collective, where Nigerian companies are developing real-world artificial intelligence solutions. He also stressed the importance of strengthening collaboration between industry and universities, announcing that a new research scheme will be launched on October 1st to support 75 academic research projects.
The Minister issued a clear invitation to startups, corporations, academics, the diaspora, and global partners to build upon the government’s investments. “The opportunity and the responsibility now lie with us,” he stated, urging the ecosystem to help scale sustainable solutions and attract capital and expertise back home.