Tinubu To Sign Digital Economy Bill This Week – Minister Reveals

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, says President Bola Tinubu is expected to sign the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, 2025, into law this week.

Tijani disclosed this on Monday during a public hearing jointly organised by the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on ICT and Cybersecurity in Abuja.

He said the bill is one of the key instruments needed to drive the administration’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.

“This bill is being awaited by President Bola Tinubu for assent this week, being one of the catalysts for the actualisation of the projected $1 trillion economy,” he said.

Tijani described the proposed legislation as a groundbreaking framework that positions Nigeria as a continental leader in digital transformation.

According to him, the digital sector previously contributed 16 percent to Nigeria’s GDP and is now tracking at 19 percent under the current administration.

He added: “Under the president’s leadership, we are targeting a $1 trillion economy with the digital economy contributing 21 percent to GDP by 2027. This bill will unlock the private sector’s potential to achieve that goal.”

Tijani said the federal government, in collaboration with the National Assembly, is working to expand digital infrastructure across the country.

He announced plans for the deployment of 90,000km of fibre-optic cable and nearly 4,000 new communication towers, explaining that the project will connect all states and local government areas, including underserved communities.

The bill, he said, will also establish a national data exchange system to enable seamless data sharing among government agencies, and provide a framework for the adoption of artificial intelligence across critical sectors.

The minister said the legislation marks a major structural shift for the country.

“In strengthening this bill, we are shaping the future of generations yet unborn. The generation that liberalised our telecommunications sector in 1999 laid the foundation for today’s growth. Now, we take the next bold step — to expand our economy through technology and innovation,” Tijani said.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT, Shuaib Salisu, said the proposed law will bring long-needed regulatory clarity to electronic transactions and mandate MDAs to digitise their services.

“This law, when enacted, will serve as the backbone of the digital economy,” he stated.

Also speaking, Adedeji Olajide, Chairman of the House Committee on ICT, said the bill will drive national transformation and accelerate the government’s digital goals.

Key stakeholders such as the NCC, NIPOST, NICOMSAT, Galaxy Backbone and the Office of the Head of Service all expressed support for the bill, describing it as essential for modern governance.

With presidential assent expected this week, the bill is projected to reshape Nigeria’s digital landscape and strengthen the country’s position in Africa’s technology ecosystem.