President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritizing the development of Nigeria’s digital economy as a means to drive youth empowerment and job creation.
The President made this pledge while receiving a comprehensive report titled “Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment, and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities” from participants of the Senior Executive Course 46 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru.
The report, which offers strategic recommendations on leveraging the digital economy for national development, was presented to the President at the State House, Abuja.
Participants of the Senior Executive Course 46 outlined an eight-point recommendation to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation. Among these, they urged the Federal Government to expedite the enactment of the Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill 2024 to provide a legal framework for digital governance.
Additionally, they proposed that President Tinubu issue an Executive Order mandating all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to migrate to the OneGov.ng portal. This initiative, according to the report, would enhance efficiency, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, and promote transparency in government operations.
The Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, emphasized the need for the government to adopt the Quintuple-Helix Model—a multi-stakeholder approach involving collaboration between the government, academia, private sector, civil society, and the media. He explained that this model is crucial in fostering a robust digital economy, creating job opportunities, and empowering Nigerian youths with the necessary digital skills to compete globally.
In his response, President Tinubu expressed appreciation for the detailed report and assured that his administration is committed to implementing policies that will enhance digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
“The digital economy is a key driver of modern economic development. We recognize the need to create an enabling environment for technological innovation to thrive, and we are determined to provide Nigerian youths with the necessary tools to succeed in this space,” the President stated.
