By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.
Nigeria has the potential to achieve a $1 trillion digital economy before 2030 through the strategic adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology-driven transformation, according to Hon. Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Inuwa made the projection while delivering the keynote address at the 3rd Annual Economic Confidential Lecture and PRNigeria Book Presentation, held at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, with the theme: “Agenda for a Digital Global Economy.”
The NITDA boss emphasized the pivotal role of AI in driving economic growth, particularly in empowering Nigeria’s large youth population. He stated that if 1.5 million Nigerian youths are adequately trained in digital technologies, the country could generate over $50 billion annually from remote work and digital services.
“AI is not here to replace us, but to augment us. With the right approach, we can increase productivity tenfold across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and finance,” Inuwa said.
Using the example of a young female farmer in Kaduna, he explained how AI-powered apps can improve agricultural yields by providing weather forecasts, planting schedules, and fertilizer guidance—transforming guesswork into precision farming.
Tracing the evolution of global economies from the Agricultural Age to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Inuwa highlighted how each technological leap—from mechanization to mass production to computers—boosted global GDP.
“Today, AI stands as the most transformative technology of our time. The more we embrace it, the more we expand our GDP through innovation and inclusion,” he noted.
He also called for the replacement of ICT GDP metrics with broader digital economy indicators, arguing that nearly every sector now relies heavily on technology—from journalism to finance.
The lecture also featured the unveiling of three impactful books:
Renewed Hope in Central Banking by Rahman Oladosu
Healing Nigeria: A Chronicle of Health Reforms by Lawal Mamman and Maimuna Aliyu
Diplomacy and Digital Innovation: Youth Insights by Fatima Usman and Umar Bala
Each book highlights Nigeria’s journey through governance, health reforms, and youth-led digital transformation.
Editor-in-Chief of Economic Confidential, Yushau A. Shuaib, in his welcome address, emphasized the need for knowledge-sharing and public-private collaboration to advance economic development.
“Our mission is to empower voices and ideas through platforms such as PRNigeria, Spokespersons’ Digest, and others. We must continue to support young talents and amplify Nigerian innovations globally,” Shuaib said.
Special recognition awards were presented to Hon. Kashifu Inuwa and other contributors for their commitment to digital transformation and public engagement. Representatives from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) lauded the event’s focus on digital diplomacy and innovation.
“Nations that fail to embrace the digital revolution risk being left behind. Nigeria must move beyond being mere consumers to becoming creators and exporters of digital solutions,” a representative of the NIPR President remarked.
With youth-driven innovation, public-private collaboration, and AI-powered tools, Nigeria is poised to become a $1 trillion digital economy powerhouse before 2030.