ABUJA, NIGERIA — As President Bola Tinubu’s administration signals a major shift toward a data-first economy, global data governance expert Dr. Adetokunbo Ajibola has unveiled a strategic framework aimed at helping Nigeria harness the economic and security value of data across critical sectors.

Ajibola, widely known as The Data Evangelist, responded to Tinubu’s recent declaration that “data is Nigeria’s new oil,” urging the nation to seize the moment by adopting a coordinated national data vision.

“Data is more than a by-product of operations. It’s a strategic asset,” Ajibola said. “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.”

Ajibola, who serves as an ECOWAS Council Ambassador and leads Berkeley Data Strategists, has mentored over 5,000 professionals across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Domestically, his impact includes restructuring First Bank’s data governance and quality architecture in line with global best practices.

A National Imperative

The new data roadmap proposed by Ajibola outlines an urgent need for unified data governance across government ministries, departments, and agencies. It also calls for targeted investments in digital skills development, infrastructure, and regulatory reform.

“Nigeria must treat data with the same seriousness as oil. It is the fuel of the digital economy,” he said. “Proper governance can drive transformative efficiencies in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, financial services, oil and gas, and telecommunications.”

Ajibola’s framework advocates for a national data policy that sets clear standards for data collection, integrity, security, and ethical usage—key to building public trust and driving innovation.

Talent, Trust, and Transformation

With thousands of Nigerian professionals in the diaspora possessing high-level data expertise, Ajibola stressed the importance of creating local pathways that can absorb global talent.

“We need to localise global expertise. Thousands of skilled Nigerians abroad are willing to contribute, but we must create structured opportunities for them to plug in,” he said.

His intervention comes amid growing momentum for digital reform under the Tinubu administration, which has identified technology and innovation as pillars of Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda.

Aligning with Global Trends

Ajibola’s call to action mirrors global trends, where data is increasingly viewed as the foundation of modern economies. From predictive analytics in healthcare to AI-driven agriculture and financial inclusion technologies, data is reshaping how nations grow.

“The global digital economy is moving fast. If Nigeria is serious about leading, we must act now and act boldly,” Ajibola warned.

Stakeholders React

Industry professionals welcomed the proposed framework, with some describing it as “the missing piece” in the administration’s tech-forward vision.

“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.”

With billions in potential value at stake, experts say Ajibola’s roadmap offers Nigeria a chance to lead not only in Africa but on the global stage—if bold, immediate action follows.