The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has declared that digital capability is now a key determinant of global influence, urging Nigeria to leverage technology, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and digital infrastructure to strengthen its diplomatic and economic standing.
Speaking at the Second Seminar on Anticipatory, Cyber and Digital Diplomacy (ACDD 2.0) in Abuja, Tijani said the era when diplomacy was driven mainly by military strength, economic size and traditional negotiations is giving way to one where technology shapes international relations.
He commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for convening the seminar, describing it as a forward-looking initiative that recognises the growing role of digital technologies in global affairs.
“Diplomacy is no longer conducted only through treaties, negotiations and diplomatic notes. Today, it is increasingly influenced by data, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, satellite systems and the standards that govern these technologies,” he said.
According to the minister, countries that invest in digital infrastructure, secure cyberspace, develop AI capabilities and influence global technology standards will enjoy greater competitiveness, resilience and international relevance.
He pointed to Estonia as an example of how technological innovation has enabled a relatively small nation to wield significant global influence, stressing that digital capability is becoming as important as economic strength, defence and conventional diplomacy.
Highlighting Nigeria’s digital achievements, Tijani said the country has the highest number of subsea internet cables in West Africa, making it the region’s leading digital gateway.
He disclosed that the Federal Government is investing about 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure designed to improve connectivity within Nigeria while extending digital access to neighbouring countries, including Chad, Niger, Benin Republic and Burkina Faso.
The minister also revealed that Nigeria is emerging as West Africa’s regional data hub, with much of the region’s internet traffic passing through the country before reaching global data centres.
To consolidate that position, he said the government will soon unveil a National Digital Cloud Policy aimed at attracting global investments and positioning Nigeria as a trusted destination for data hosting and cloud services.
On cybersecurity, Tijani announced plans to establish a Ministerial Advisory Council on Cybersecurity to deepen collaboration between government and the private sector through intelligence sharing and coordinated responses to cyber threats.
He said the initiative would enhance the country’s ability to detect, prevent and respond to attacks on critical digital infrastructure.
Speaking on artificial intelligence, the minister said Nigeria has been ranked the leading country in Africa for responsible AI governance by a Cambridge University research group, reflecting the country’s commitment to balancing innovation with regulation.
He also disclosed that Nigeria has developed Africa’s first government-backed large language model capable of understanding Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Ibibio and accented English, with plans to incorporate more indigenous languages.
According to him, the Federal Executive Council has approved the establishment of a National AI Trust to ensure sustained investment and responsible governance of artificial intelligence in Nigeria.
Tijani further highlighted the Federal Government’s Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative, which he said has trained nearly 300,000 Nigerians across all local government areas to equip young people with skills needed in the global digital economy.
He called on policymakers and diplomatic stakeholders to embrace technology as a strategic instrument for advancing Nigeria’s national interests, saying the country’s future influence will depend on its ability to shape global digital conversations.
“We must build a Nigeria that is not only ready for the digital future but one that helps shape that future,” the minister said.
