Nigeria Emerges as West Africa’s Digital Powerhouse – Tijani
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani has declared that Nigeria has
become West Africa’s digital powerhouse.
He stressed that the country’s strengths in digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity
should form a core part of its foreign policy.
Tijani made the remarks on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the Second Seminar on Anticipatory, Cyber and
Digital Diplomacy organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
The event, themed “From Awareness to Activation: Operationalising AI, Cyber and Digital Statecraft for
Nigeria’s Foreign Policy,” brought together policymakers, diplomats, and technology experts.
He highlighted Nigeria’s unique position in the region, noting that it is the only West African country
with its own communications satellites and the highest number of subsea internet cables.
“We’re the only country in the West African region with its own communication satellites; we’re the
only country in the West African region with the highest number of subsea cables,” Tijani said.
He added that Nigeria has also become the data hub of West Africa, making it strategically important to
global technology firms and neighbouring nations.
“The implication of this is that we’re a powerful nation. We’ve always been, but in the digital space,
we’re a powerful nation,” the minister stated.
He outlined a resilience-based approach to safeguarding critical infrastructure such as subsea cables,
fibre networks, and satellites.
Tijani also pointed to Nigeria’s leadership in artificial intelligence, citing its recent ranking as Africa’s top
nation for responsible AI in an assessment by a University of Cambridge research group.
The minister’s comments align with ongoing government initiatives, including fibre-optic expansion
under Project BRIDGE and efforts to integrate digital capabilities into national strategy.
He urged that these advantages be leveraged more deliberately in diplomatic and economic
engagements across the region and beyond.
By Oyinkansola Shittu.
