Nigeria is taking bold steps to convert its rapidly growing youth population into a driver of national development, according to Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. Speaking at the Project BRIDGE Investor Roadshow in Europe, Tijani emphasized that strategic infrastructure, digital skills, and policy reforms are critical to transforming what is often referred to as Nigeria’s “youth bulge” into a demographic dividend.

Citing research from the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), the minister highlighted that Nigeria’s current demographic situation mirrors South Korea in the 1970s, when targeted investments in youth accelerated the nation’s industrial and economic transformation. “Demography is not destiny. It is direction shaped by policy, discipline, and investment,” Tijani said.

The minister outlined a multi-pronged strategy designed to ensure young Nigerians can fully participate in the global economy:

  • Project BRIDGE is aimed at building the digital and physical infrastructure necessary for young people to create, work, and compete on a global scale.
  • NUCAP, a rural tower programme, seeks to connect children in remote and riverine communities, ensuring geographic location does not limit opportunity.
  • Investments in satellite connectivity will extend reliable digital access to even the most isolated regions.
  • 3MTT focuses on large-scale workforce development to prepare Nigerians for emerging industries.
  • A national AI strategy is intended to equip youth to become creators in the next wave of technological innovation.

Tijani stressed that infrastructure and skills development alone are insufficient. He pointed to the importance of expanding the digital economy, supporting startups, and implementing e-governance reforms to reduce bureaucratic barriers, improve efficiency, and build public trust.

“Like oil, demography can bless or destabilize. Connectivity at scale, skills at scale, institutional reform, digital public infrastructure, and policy coherence are the levers that turn population into prosperity,” he said.

Reflecting on his years building CcHUB, Nigeria’s first technology innovation hub, Tijani noted that while talent is abundant, unlocking its potential requires robust infrastructure, sound institutions, and forward-looking policy. “Some may not immediately see the value in laying fibre across thousands of kilometres, or in connecting remote communities, or in investing early in AI, or in digitising public services,” he said. “But demographic windows are time-bound. History will not judge us by noise but by whether we engineered the dividend. And I intend to stand and be counted.”

Tijani’s address underscores Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging technology, governance reforms, and strategic investment to ensure its youth population drives sustainable growth rather than becomes a source of societal strain.