Expert Urges Swift Private Sector Engagement to Drive Nigeria’s Digital Transformation

Olanrewaju Sa’id, a prominent digital technology and data analytics expert with over a decade of experience in data systems and intelligent analytics, has called for urgent collaboration between the Nigerian government, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and the private sector to effectively implement the National Data Strategy (NDS). Sa’id warned that any delay in fostering these partnerships could jeopardize the country’s digital transformation ambitions.  

Sa’id emphasized the pivotal role of SMEs, startups, and Nigeria’s tech ecosystem in achieving national objectives and driving economic growth. “The success of the National Data Strategy cannot be left solely to government implementation,” he stated. “The private sector, especially tech startups and SMEs, must be actively involved. Delays in this collaboration will only set us further back in our digital transformation journey.”  

The urgency of Sa’id’s appeal is underscored by the remarkable growth of Nigeria’s tech sector, where startup funding soared from $150 million in 2020 to $748 million in just the first eight months of 2022. He noted that these figures highlight the untapped potential within the sector but cautioned that without deliberate efforts to integrate these players into the national strategy, the momentum could be lost.  

Central to the National Data Strategy are priorities such as creating a harmonized national database and promoting data literacy and intelligence. Sa’id argued that these objectives require immediate attention and private sector expertise. According to him, delays in unifying the national database and adopting advanced data systems result in missed opportunities for economic growth and improved public services. He described fragmented national databases as not merely administrative inefficiencies but significant obstacles to delivering value to citizens.  

Sa’id also stressed that high-quality, unified data is critical for decision-making in a data-driven world where machine learning and AI technologies are shaping healthcare, transportation, agriculture, and other sectors. He called for the rapid deployment of data harmonization solutions, the implementation of advanced analytics for public services, the development of state-of-the-art infrastructure to support AI technologies, and a swift rollout of nationwide data literacy and capacity-building programs.  

“The private sector’s agility and innovation are no longer optional—they are essential to achieving our digital transformation goals,” Sa’id said. “Without their integration, we risk falling short of our objectives.” He urged the government to establish clear channels for collaboration, enabling SMEs and startups to actively contribute to the National Data Strategy. Sa’id concluded by emphasizing that such partnerships would not only accelerate digital transformation but also create sustainable job opportunities and drive economic growth for Nigeria.