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…Harp on need for robust infrastructure, talents
By Chinenye Anuforo
Industry leaders and stakeholders have emphasized the critical importance of robust infrastructure and a skilled workforce in propelling Nigeria’s digital future. These sentiments were central to discussions at the “Presentation of Awards by Knowhow Media to 50 Most Valuable Personalities (50MVPs) in Digital Economy and colloquium on Nigeria: State of Digital Economy for 2025.”
Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, CEO of Digital Reality, in his keynote address titled ‘Powering the Digital Economy through Infrastructure, Talent, and Employment’, acknowledged Nigeria’s strong position in Africa’s telecom market by subscriber base, yet highlighted a significant lag in digital infrastructure and service penetration. “Until just a few years ago, we hadn’t made a firm decision to digitize our economy,” Nnamani stated, crediting the formal launch of the digital economy in 2019 as a turning point. He pointed to examples like online land registries and camera-monitored traffic systems as signs of progress, but cautioned, “Still, we must remember: we are latecomers. But that doesn’t mean we can not catch up and even surpass others if we act intentionally and swiftly.”
Nnamani dissected the infrastructure challenge into two critical areas: transmission and data centers. While noting Nigeria’s progress in international connectivity with eight submarine cables, including the upcoming 2Africa cable, he raised a critical issue: “our metro and inter-city infrastructure remains a huge challenge. Today, it is cheaper to buy internet capacity between Nigeria and London than between Lagos and Abuja.” He emphasized the need for accessible and affordable Right of Way (RoW) to expand access and reduce costs.
Regarding data centers, Nnamani stressed the severe deficit outside of Lagos. “A few years ago, I said Nigeria needs at least 72 edge data centers, two per state capital to see real impact. Unfortunately, we have not met even a fraction of that target,” he lamented.
He explained that centralized data processing leads to higher costs for subscribers, congested transmission links, and poor quality of service, advocating for distributed infrastructure to improve service and reduce costs across the nation.
On the human capital front, he acknowledged the significant digital skills gap but offered a silver lining. “You no longer need a university degree to thrive in the digital economy. With 3–12 months of focused ICT training, individuals can be gainfully employed.” He shared a personal anecdote of a young man who, after six months of coding training, secured a remote job with a Canadian company, eventually relocating and earning in USD. This success, however, brings the challenge of “brain drain,” with skilled professionals being poached by foreign companies.
Nnamani concluded by emphasizing two urgent priorities: “Security – Business and innovation can’t flourish without safety,” and “Human Capital Development – We have the numbers; we must now develop the skills.” He urged a shift in societal mindset, advocating for support for young people pursuing digital careers rather than suspicion.
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Echoing the call for a digital future, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, represented by Deputy Governor Barr. Dr. Sam Ode, delivered a keynote address titled “Redefining Nigeria’s Economic Future — Benue State and the Rise of the Digital Economy.”
Ode expressed gratitude for the recognition of Benue State among the 50 MVPs, stating, “This recognition is not just a personal milestone; it is a validation of our collective journey across states to build a future driven by innovation, inclusion, and digital opportunity.”
He highlighted the growing significance of ICT, which contributed “nearly 20% to Nigeria’s GDP in 2024 more than double the contribution of oil and gas during the same period.”
He detailed Benue’s proactive steps, including the creation of a Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and the establishment of the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC) to drive digital infrastructure rollout and youth empowerment.
Benue State’s achievements include digitizing cabinet processes, training over 10,000 youths in digital skills with plans for an additional 50,000, and launching digital literacy initiatives in secondary schools. The state has also approved 276 e-commerce hubs to support women and youth in digital entrepreneurship and is deploying broadband connectivity across MDAs. Dr. Ode proudly announced the launch of BDIC-branded ICT devices and plans for a local ICT hardware assembly plant. Notably, in 2024, Governor Alia signed an Executive Order establishing “zero Right of Way charges for fiber optic development across the state.”
Ode concluded stating: “Nigeria’s greatness will no longer be measured by oil exports but by how many youths we empower through digital skills, how many rural communities we reconnect, and how inclusive our digital economy becomes.” He called for deeper collaboration among all stakeholders to overcome challenges like data privacy and cybersecurity, ensuring a digital economy that serves all Nigerians.
This exclusive industry gathering united the titans of Nigeria’s digital sphere, from influential regulators and visionary tech CEOs to dynamic startup founders and key policy shapers. Among the award winners are the Governor of Benue State, CEO Digital Reality, Ikechukwu Nnamani, Gbande Hembaor Terwase, Managing Director/CEO, Benue Digital Infrastructure Company ( BDIC),Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Digital Encode, Dr. Obadare Adewale etc.
In his opening welcome remarks, Olusegun Oruame, the Executive Vice Chairman of Knowhow Media, stated, “The 2025 Recognition focuses on leaders building bridges between tech innovation and national development.” This powerful statement encapsulates the core mission of the 50MVPs to celebrate those who are not only driving technological advancements but also ensuring these advancements translate into tangible benefits for the nation.
