A New Vision for Nigeria’s Data-Driven Future
Global data governance expert Dr. Adetokunbo Ajibola has introduced a comprehensive framework aimed at helping Nigeria unlock the economic and national security potential of data across various sectors. This initiative comes in response to President Bola Tinubu’s declaration that “data is Nigeria’s new oil,” which has sparked a broader conversation about the importance of data as a strategic asset.
In a public address, President Tinubu emphasized the need for Nigeria to prioritize data as a key driver of national development, signaling a move toward a data-first economy. Ajibola, known as The Data Evangelist, welcomed this policy stance and called for a unified national data vision that empowers both public and private institutions.
“Data is more than a by-product of operations. It’s a strategic asset,” said Ajibola, who also serves as an ECOWAS Council Ambassador. “With the right stewardship, Nigeria can lead Africa in building a data-driven public sector, supported by a private sector that thrives on trust, transparency, and transformation.”
Experience and Impact
A respected voice in enterprise data management, Ajibola has over two decades of experience spanning the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Through his platform, Berkeley Data Strategists, he has mentored nearly 5,000 professionals globally in data governance, quality, metadata, and analytics enablement.
Domestically, his impact is significant. He led the strategic enhancement of First Bank’s Data Governance and Data Quality teams, delivering the globally recognized Certified Data Management Professional course and aligning the bank’s practices with international standards.
Ajibola emphasizes that unlocking value from data will require coordinated efforts across government ministries, departments, and agencies, alongside targeted investments in digital skills and infrastructure.
Strategic Framework for Data Governance
“Nigeria must treat data with the same seriousness as oil. It is the fuel of the digital economy,” he said. “With proper governance, we can drive efficiencies in financial services, healthcare, agriculture, oil and gas, and telecommunications.”
He stressed the need for a national data policy that sets clear standards for data collection, quality, security, and usage. Without a unified strategy, he warned, Nigeria risks missing out on the vast opportunities presented by the data economy.
The roadmap should also prioritize capacity building to equip Nigerians, especially those in the diaspora, with globally relevant skills that can be applied locally.
“We need to localise global expertise. Thousands of skilled Nigerians abroad are willing to contribute, but we must create pathways that allow them to plug in,” he said.
Preparing for a Digital Future
Ajibola warned that Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind, especially as other African countries ramp up digitization of public services and investment in data infrastructure.
“The global digital economy is moving fast. If Nigeria is serious about leading, we must act now and act boldly,” he added.
His call aligns with growing global conversations around data as the next frontier for economic transformation. With proper regulation, investment in talent, and public-private collaboration, experts believe Nigeria could unlock trillions of naira in value through data-driven decision-making and innovation.
As the Tinubu administration pushes digital reforms, stakeholders say Ajibola’s roadmap offers a timely and actionable guide.
“The government must not only declare data as the new oil, it must also refine it,” said a Lagos-based data analyst who requested anonymity. “And people like Ajibola have already built the refinery.”
