The Federal Government has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to driving Africa’s digital transformation, calling for the integration of cyber, anticipatory, and digital diplomacy into the nation’s foreign policy framework.
The declaration was made during a high-level policy dialogue held in Abuja, where government officials, diplomats, and international partners underscored the strategic importance of digital leadership in advancing national interests and strengthening Nigeria’s global standing.
According to the Federal Government, Nigeria must not only adapt to the digital era but also assume a leadership role in shaping the continent’s technological future. This, it stressed, will require aligning diplomacy with emerging global trends in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data governance, and digital trade.
“We must embed digital diplomacy into our foreign policy to safeguard national interests while positioning Nigeria as the voice and leader of Africa in global digital conversations,” a senior government official stated.
International partners at the dialogue also emphasized the importance of proactive measures in cyber resilience, digital rights, and inclusive access, noting that Nigeria’s size, economy, and innovation ecosystem make it well-placed to champion Africa’s digital agenda.
Policy experts highlighted that anticipatory diplomacy—planning for the technological disruptions of the future—should become central to Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture, particularly in negotiations involving cross-border data flows, tech investment, and digital cooperation.
The government added that it is already working with stakeholders in the private sector, academia, and civil society to design a roadmap that will position Nigeria as a continental hub for digital innovation and governance.
With Africa’s digital economy projected to reach over $180 billion by 2025, analysts say Nigeria’s leadership could determine the pace and direction of the continent’s technological growth.
