Tinubu Declares Data as Nigeria’s New Oil, Describes It as Vital to National Developmentp
Tinubu Declares Data as Nigeria’s New Oil, Describes It as Vital to National Development
President Bola Tinubu has described data as “the new oil,” highlighting its essential role in effective governance and in strengthening Nigeria’s position on the global stage.
He issued a directive mandating all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to collect, protect, and responsibly share data to enhance public value and support international performance comparisons.
This renewed focus on data coincides with the launch of the 1Government Cloud Academy by Galaxy Backbone—an initiative aimed at equipping civil servants with vital digital skills to support Nigeria’s shift toward a paperless public sector.
According to a statement from Galaxy Backbone on Wednesday, the establishment of the academy is a strategic effort to modernize civil service operations and improve communication across MDAs.
The announcement was a key highlight of the 2025 International Civil Service Conference in Abuja, attended by President Tinubu, members of the Federal Executive Council, the diplomatic community, industry leaders, and civil servants.
In his opening remarks, President Tinubu reinforced the strategic significance of data, describing it as “the new oil.”
He clarified that unlike traditional oil, data’s value appreciates with refinement and responsible utilisation.
President Bola Tinubu has directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to meticulously collect and protect data in line with the Nigerian Data Protection Act (2023), while ensuring its release serves the public interest and complies with global data privacy standards.
“We must allow our data to represent us. Verified data assets should be published locally and shared globally to support international benchmarking and elevate Nigeria’s global profile,” the President stated.
He also stressed the importance of upholding data sovereignty and ensuring that data privacy is maintained within domestic and affiliated data centres.
The newly launched 1Government Cloud Academy by Galaxy Backbone is designed to train selected civil servants and public sector personnel in essential digital tools for effective transformation. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to modernize Nigeria’s public service and enhance communication among MDAs.
Speaking during a panel session at the launch, Programme Director of the 1Government Cloud initiative, Mr. Wumi Oghoetuoma, highlighted the critical role of trust and user comprehension in the success of digital systems.
“Many digital tools have failed—not because they didn’t work, but because users lacked trust or didn’t fully understand how to use them,” he explained.
