NITDA Advocates ICT GDP Rebasing in Nigeria
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has explained why his agency urged the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to rebase Nigeria’s ICT GDP.
Speaking as the keynote speaker at the 3rd Annual Economic Confidential Lecture & PRNigeria Book Presentation in Abuja, themed “Agenda for a Digital Global Economy”, Inuwa said rebasing was necessary because the digital economy underpins all critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Interplay of Digital Economy with National Growth
According to Inuwa, the digital economy cannot stand alone but functions as an enabler of other industries.
“If you think of agriculture, healthcare, education, finance—today they all rely on digital. Therefore, we pushed the NBS to rebase the ICT GDP,” he said.
He stressed that information technology drives productivity across sectors:
- In finance, removing IT would slow growth.
- In media and journalism, digital tools are now indispensable.
- In agriculture, healthcare, and education, ICT has become central to innovation.
Inuwa added that embracing technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) could further drive national prosperity and inclusivity.
Presidency Backs ICT-Led Economic Transformation
Representing the Special Adviser to the President on Economy, Dr. Tope Fasuwa, Mr. Aremu Olayinka Elijah emphasised that rebasing the GDP provides more accurate and measurable economic data.
“We are shifting from traditional models to a tech-driven future,” he said, reaffirming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to recalibrating Nigeria’s economy for growth.
ICT Sector Shows Strong Growth Momentum
Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) underscores the importance of the ICT sector to Nigeria’s economy:
- ICT sector growth (Q1 2025): 31.63% year-on-year in nominal terms.
- Compared to Q1 2024: A significant jump from 3.40% growth.
- Compared to Q4 2024: A 13.67-point increase from the previous quarter.
The sector’s share of nominal GDP also rose:
- 10.29% in Q1 2025,
- up from 9.25% in Q1 2024,
- and 8.55% in Q4 2024.
This confirms ICT as a key growth engine of Nigeria’s economy.
Why NBS Rebasing Matters
In January 2025, the NBS officially rebased Nigeria’s GDP data, setting 2019 as the new base year.
The decision was made because 2019 represented a period of relative stability in Nigeria’s economy, compared to subsequent years that were disrupted by COVID-19, oil price shocks, and inflationary pressures.
By rebasing ICT’s GDP contribution, policymakers and stakeholders gain clearer insights into the sector’s real economic impact.
Conclusion
The call by NITDA DG Kashifu Inuwa for the rebasing of Nigeria’s ICT GDP reflects the growing role of the digital economy as a driver of transformation across all industries.
With ICT contributing over 10% of nominal GDP in early 2025, the rebasing provides a more accurate reflection of Nigeria’s economic reality and reinforces the sector’s importance in achieving the country’s digital and economic agenda.
