Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, Chancellor of Ekiti State University
Dr Tunji Olowolafe, Chancellor of Ekiti State University and Chairman of the Tunji Olowolafe Foundation, has urged government, industry and academia to collaborate in building a $1 trillion Nigerian digital economy by 2030.
Speaking at the Digital Nigeria International Conference 2025 in Abuja, Olowolafe stated that digital transformation is a pathway to prosperity, emphasising the ICT sector’s 11% contribution to Nigeria’s GDP in Q2 2025. He highlighted data as “our new gold” and called for integrated ID systems, e-government platforms, and broader broadband access to unlock growth, citing India as a model for success.
Olowolafe emphasised Africa’s rich innovation heritage and urged local tech development “by African minds, for African needs.” He commended NITDA, NCC, and NDPC for creating regulatory frameworks supporting digital growth. He also announced a blockchain-based pilot to secure academic credentials and combat certificate fraud.
Citing successes in digital health, fintech, and agriculture, Olowolafe urged the inclusion of the 30% of Nigerians still outside the financial system. He highlighted community-led projects, such as the Gbemisola Olowolafe Memorial ICT Centre and Secondary School, which provide solar-powered learning, satellite internet, and training in AI, blockchain, and cloud computing.
He concluded with a call for collaborative investment across sectors to ensure nationwide digital inclusion, positioning Nigeria for sustainable economic growth.
