Bosun Tijani seeks ‘deeper’ private sector investment in tech

Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, says Nigeria’s technological advancement requires deep commitment from the private sector as it cannot rely solely on government effort.

Speaking on Wednesday at the 2025 Enugu Tech Festival, Tijani described the event, themed ‘Coal to Code’, as the largest technology conference he has witnessed in the country, praising Enugu state for setting a new pace in digital transformation.

According to the minister, real progress in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem would require sustained stakeholder collaboration.

“Progress is not automatic, but needs all of us. It needs the government to continue to be brave. It needs the private sector to invest deeper. It needs mentors, builders, teachers, and it needs leaders,” he said.

He commended the Peter Mbah, Enugu governor, for investing in digital infrastructure and building a thriving tech community.

He said the state has moved “from policy to progress”.

Meanwhile, the festival featured bigwigs such as Ayodele Olawande, minister of youth development; Barth Nnaji, former minister of science and technology; Leo Stan Ekeh, chairman of Zinox Technologies, and Ike Chioke, group managing director of Afrinvest.

Mbah said the event was part of his administration’s efforts to turn the state’s young population into globally competitive innovators.