Vice-President Kashim Shettima has emphasized that Nigeria’s quickest path to sustained and inclusive prosperity lies in digital innovation, skills development, and a robust legal framework for e-government.

Speaking at the opening of the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition (DNICE 2025) at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Shettima described the digital economy as a “second chance” for Nigeria to reclaim global relevance and create jobs for its youth. Shettima highlighted the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill as a strategic enabler that will unify regulations for e-transactions, cybersecurity, and public service delivery. He framed the bill as the foundation for a “govtech” revolution aimed at digitizing government services, boosting transparency, and supporting startups and traditional businesses to thrive in a modern digital economy. Officials at the event said the bill is being fast-tracked to strengthen institutions such as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The vice-president also outlined plans to expand broadband and last-mile connectivity through the rollout of thousands of telecom towers, aiming to connect millions of citizens. He reiterated the administration’s commitment to national skills programs that will equip young Nigerians with the technical expertise needed to succeed in the digital sector. NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa, who co-addressed the event, noted that Nigeria’s young population is the country’s competitive advantage and stressed the importance of investment in training and certification programs to ensure graduates have employable skills. He welcomed Shettima’s presence as a strong signal of the government’s dedication to youth empowerment and a competitive digital ecosystem. The three-day conference has brought together government officials, private-sector executives, startup founders, and development partners. Sessions are focusing on artificial intelligence, fintech, govtech, cybersecurity, and digital inclusion, with panelists highlighting practical examples such as farmers accessing market data via mobile apps and rural women working remotely for global employers. Market analysts said the policy push combining legislation, infrastructure investment, and targeted skills development could accelerate foreign and domestic investment in Nigeria’s tech sector if implementation is consistent and transparent. For now, the government is using DNICE 2025 to showcase its vision of making Nigeria a hub for African digital innovation by unlocking connectivity, codifying digital rules, and equipping its youth to build and scale technology businesses.