The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has said Nigeria has emerged as West Africa’s digital powerhouse, stressing that the country’s growing influence in digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity must become a key pillar of its foreign policy.
Tijani stated this on Tuesday at the Second Seminar on Anticipatory, Cyber and Digital Diplomacy organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
The seminar, themed “From Awareness to Activation: Operationalising AI, Cyber and Digital Statecraft for Nigeria’s Foreign Policy,” brought together policymakers, diplomats and technology experts to discuss Nigeria’s digital future.
The minister said diplomacy was no longer determined solely by a country’s size, economy or military strength but increasingly by its digital capabilities.
“I think all of us can testify to the fact that digital is now a major part of our lives in everything we do, and that’s the case for nations as well. So diplomacy in itself is shifting away from just how big your country is, the size of your economy or defence. It’s coming towards digital,” he said.
