By Ephraim Agbo
Let’s talk about something bold President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said recently:
“Data is the new oil.”
Now, you’ve probably heard that phrase before—maybe in tech circles or TED Talks. But when a Nigerian president says it publicly, on the stage of International Civil Service Week 2025, it carries a different kind of weight. It's a national declaration, not just a tech trend.
So what does it actually mean? Why now? And can Nigeria really make data its next big resource—or is this just another ambitious headline that may fade like others before it?
Let’s unpack it.
🚀 What Exactly Happened?
At the Abuja conference celebrating civil service reforms, President Tinubu emphasized that data is no longer just a bureaucratic tool. It’s now a strategic national asset, critical to decision-making, global competitiveness, and public sector efficiency.
He didn’t stop there. He:
- Directed all MDAs (Ministries, Departments, and Agencies) to collect verified, reliable, and shareable datasets.
- Urged compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (2023)—which lays the groundwork for safeguarding citizens’ digital rights.
- Launched the 1Government Cloud Academy, an initiative to train civil servants in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and digital governance.
This is a strong signal that Nigeria wants to digitally modernize the state apparatus. It’s also a recognition that whoever owns and understands their data best, wins.
🧠 Why “Data Is the New Oil” Isn’t Just a Metaphor
Let’s break it down.
Just like oil:
- Data must be extracted (from systems, sensors, surveys, interactions).
- It must be refined (cleaned, organized, and analyzed).
- It must be protected (think of leaks—not just from pipelines, but databases).
- And if well managed, it creates enormous value—for governance, businesses, even geopolitics.
In fact, the global data economy is estimated to be worth over $3 trillion, and that number is only growing. From predicting epidemics to mapping poverty or designing smarter cities, data drives it all.
🇳🇬 Nigeria’s Data Challenge: Rich in Potential, Poor in Structure
Here’s the honest truth: Nigeria isn’t short of data—we’re short of organization, access, and accountability.
Think about it:
- INEC collects millions of voter records.
- NIMC is building a national identity database.
- Banks, telcos, customs, immigration, NNPC, WAEC—they all generate data.
But much of it sits in silos, poorly maintained, or trapped in dusty offices. Many government agencies don’t share information. Some don’t even trust each other.
And the result? Policies are made with guesswork. Decisions are delayed. Interventions miss their targets. Corruption thrives where visibility is low.
📉 The Cost of a Data-Weak Nation
Let’s look at real-life implications:
- Social intervention programs (like TraderMoni or school feeding) often fail to reach intended beneficiaries due to poor or outdated data.
- During COVID-19, Nigeria struggled to identify vulnerable populations because health and population data weren’t readily available or accurate.
- The country loses billions of naira annually from inefficiencies caused by fragmented data systems in customs, tax administration, and procurement.
In short: we’re bleeding value every day—not because we don’t have enough data, but because we don’t treat it like the critical infrastructure it is.
💼 What Tinubu’s Plan Gets Right
Let’s give credit where it’s due.
Here are three things the president’s declaration gets absolutely right:
1. Linking Data to Governance
When Tinubu talks about data being the “new oil,” he’s not just talking economics—he’s talking institutional transformation. That’s vital.
2. Emphasizing Civil Service Reform
Training civil servants through the 1Gov Cloud Academy is a smart move. A digital nation can’t be built with an analogue workforce.
3. Anchoring on Legal Frameworks
The 2023 Nigeria Data Protection Act was a landmark achievement. Now, tying executive direction to that law adds credibility and structure.
🧱 But There Are Big Gaps Still
Here’s where things get tricky—and where we need to stay vigilant:
🔌 1. Infrastructure Deficit
- As of 2024, Nigeria’s broadband penetration hovers around 45%, with rural areas still largely disconnected.
- Many government offices lack stable electricity, reliable internet, or digital tools.
🗃️ 2. Institutional Fragmentation
- Agencies hoard data for control.
- There’s no national interoperability protocol that compels MDAs to speak to one another.
- And where systems exist, they often don't talk to each other (i.e., NIMC and INEC databases aren’t fully integrated).
🔐 3. Public Distrust
- Citizens are still wary about how their data is collected and used.
- Cases of unauthorized surveillance, SIM card fraud, or poor data breaches have eroded trust.
🛤️ What Should Happen Next?
If Tinubu’s declaration is to translate into real reform, then these must follow:
✅ 1. National Data Infrastructure Policy
There needs to be a clear roadmap that binds all public agencies to a unified, secure, and open (where appropriate) data system.
✅ 2. Open Data Framework
Let’s make non-sensitive datasets publicly available—for startups, researchers, and civic innovators. Transparency drives progress.
✅ 3. Digital Literacy Across Government
We can’t automate systems for officials who barely use email. Training must go beyond elite MDAs and reach every local government.
✅ 4. Private Sector Partnerships
The likes of Flutterwave, Paystack, and Andela built billion-dollar solutions on data. Government should engage tech players—not compete with them—to accelerate innovation.
🧭 Final Thought: Can We Avoid Another “Oil Curse”?
Here’s the core of the conversation: Nigeria didn’t fail because we lacked oil. We failed because we didn’t manage it well.
The same danger exists with data.
If managed right, data can make governance smarter, spending more efficient, and public services more equitable.
If mismanaged—hoarded, politicized, or left unsecured—it becomes another lost opportunity.
Tinubu’s statement is the right one at the right time. But the future of this new “oil” will be decided not by slogans, but by execution.
💬 What Do You Think?
- Is Nigeria ready for a true data revolution?
- Do you trust the current system to use your data responsibly?
- What should citizens and tech communities demand next?
Drop a comment. Let’s build the conversation.
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