The federal government is launching two major initiatives to boost Nigeria’s digital economy. Starting October 1, 2025, the government will fund 75 new research projects, and it’s also moving to build hyperscale data centers in partnership with global tech giants.
Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, announced the research funding at the GITEX Nigeria 2025 event. The initiative, managed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), aims to support researchers, startups, and companies, with the goal of making Nigeria a global hub for digital innovation.
Securing Nigeria’s Digital Future
The government recognizes it can’t build a thriving digital economy on its own. Minister Tijani urged investors and innovators to build on the government’s investments, stating that startups and corporations have a crucial role to play in scaling innovation. He emphasized that the goal is not just to catch up with other nations, but to create a resilient system that can sustain innovation for the long term.
In a related announcement, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, NITDA’s Director-General, revealed that the agency is working with major tech companies to establish hyperscale data centers within Nigeria. This is a key part of the government’s “Cloud First Strategy,” designed to ensure data sovereignty, meaning critical national data remains within the country’s borders.
Abdullahi explained, “Today, we don’t have data sovereignty; our data is on social media, Google, Microsoft and others, and they decide what we see, what we believe, and what we buy.”
NITDA is also developing a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which includes ethical guidelines for AI use and the creation of homegrown language models that reflect Nigerian culture. The forthcoming Online Harm Protection Bill will also work to harmonize online and offline regulations to protect citizens.
