Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Nigeria could slip further behind its global competitors if it fails to accelerate nationwide digital adoption, an economic expert, Dr. Nosike Agokei has warned, describing digital transformation as the country’s only realistic pathway to sustainable economic growth.
Delivering a keynote lecture at the Garden City Premier Business School, GCPBS, graduation ceremony in Port Harcourt, Agokei who is the Managing Director of Agokei & Co and former President of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, ICSAN, said Nigeria’s economy is now at a dangerous turning point where “failure to digitize means failure to grow.”
“Digitization transforms an economy by boosting productivity, cutting costs, and expanding market reach through automation and digital platforms,” Agokei said. “This is no longer optional. It is the bridge that can connect Nigeria’s potential to prosperity.”
Agokei noted that digital activities have already overtaken oil in GDP contribution, yet Nigeria’s digital expansion remains far slower than global benchmarks.
He warned that countries investing aggressively in technology will lock Nigeria out of future markets if urgent reforms are not implemented.
“Nigeria’s digital economy is expanding rapidly. It has become a critical contributor to GDP, surpassing the oil and gas sector in 2023,” he said. “But the question remains: is this growth fast enough?”
According to him, a weak digital infrastructure ecosystem could discourage investors, raise operational costs, and diminish Nigeria’s competitiveness in Africa’s emerging digital trade landscape.
Agokei argued that tech-driven reforms such as automation, digital supply chains, e-commerce, fintech, cloud computing, are already rewriting global investment rules.
“Automated production lines and smart services reduce waste and costs,” he said.
“Digital frameworks like cloud computing eliminate the need for heavy physical infrastructure.”
Agokei acknowledged that while digitalisation fuels growth, it also introduces risks that must be addressed.
“Automation can displace workers in routine jobs. Digitization also widens skill gaps and raises concerns around cybersecurity and data protection,” he said.
He called for deliberate investments in digital skills, infrastructure expansion, and stronger cybersecurity systems.
In her remarks, the Chairman of the GCPBS Alumni, Dr. Mina Tele Ikuru, told the graduating class that Nigeria’s survival depends on how fast it embraces technology-driven solutions.
“Digital transformation is not merely an optio, it is a national imperative,” Ikuru said.
“From fintech to e-commerce, from digital health to AI-driven agriculture, technology is rewriting the rules of engagement.”
She urged the graduands to take up leadership roles in shaping Nigeria’s digital future. “You are the generation that will help Nigeria compete globally,” she said. “Lead with courage and create solutions where others see problems.”
Ikuru also commended Prof. Silva Opuala-Charles, founder of GCPBS, for establishing a learning structure aligned with the demands of a digitalized global economy.
“He has built a transformational ecosystem grounded in excellence, discipline and innovation,” she noted.
