Digital Technology and the Economic Transformation of Nigeria via the lens of Delta State: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Prospects
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Abstract
Digital technology is rapidly transforming the global economy, and Nigeria, as Africa's largest economy, has not been left out of this trend. The objectives of this paper were to ascertain if the media can contribute to the economic transformation of Nigeria through digital technology; identify critical areas that need to be addressed to promote the growth of Nigeria's digital economy, and determine if digital technology can contribute to economic development in Nigeria. A quantitative method was used to explore the experiences and perceptions of media practitioners and industry experts regarding the role of media in driving digital transformation in Nigeria. Questionnaire was utilised as the instrument for data collection. This study was based on the Uses and Gratifications Theory. Findings from the study revealed that the media can play crucial role in the economic transformation of Nigeria through digital technology. It was also found that some challenges that Nigeria faces in harnessing the full potential of digital technology include inadequate infrastructure, limited digital skills, and insufficient regulatory frameworks. Also, it was established that digital technology can contribute to economic development in Nigeria. The paper concluded that digital technology has the potential to significantly transform Nigeria's economy, creating new business opportunities, enhancing access to markets, and increasing productivity. It was recommended that the media should do more in strengthening collaboration and partnerships between government, industry, academia, and civil society organisations to drive digital transformation and contribute to the economic transformation of Nigeria. Furthermore, government should expand access to reliable Internet connectivity across Nigeria, including remote and underdeveloped areas; upgrade technological infrastructure to support digital innovation and entrepreneurship, and foster public-private partnerships to accelerate the development of digital infrastructure
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References
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Aondover, E. M., Daushe, A. U., Ogunbola, O., & Aondover, P. O. (2025). Media Coverage of Internally Displaced Persons in two Selected Newspapers in Nigeria. Journal of Migration and Health, 100301.
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Mojaye, E. M., & Aondover, E. M. (2022). Theoretical perspectives in world information systems: A propositional appraisal of new media-communication imperatives. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 14(1), 100-106.
Msughter, A. E., Hile, M. M., & Yar’Adua, S. M. (2023). Ethical Issues and Insecurity in Africa: The Media Dimension. Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi dan Perubahan Sosial, 10(2), 58-68.
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Msughter, A. E., Perpetua, A. O., & Itiafa, A. L. (2023). Artificial Intelligence and the Media: Revisiting Digital Dichotomy Theory. In Information Systems Management. IntechOpen.
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Ogunleye, O. J., & Akinbode, G. A. (2020). An assessment of the impact of digital technology adoption on economic growth and labour productivity in Nigeria. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 11(3), 1054– 1075. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-019-00605-6.
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Onyejelem, T. E., & Aondover, E. M. (2024a). Digital Generative Multimedia Tool Theory (DGMTT): A Theoretical Postulation. Journalism, 14(3), 189-204.
Onyejelem, T. E., & Aondover, E. M. (2024b). Digital Generative Multimedia Tool Theory (DGMTT): A Theoretical Postulation in the Era of Artificial Intelligence. Adv Mach Lear Art Inte, 5(2), 01-09.
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Osho, G. S., Olaleye, S. A., & Ayo, C. K. (2020). Mediated impact of digital media on financial inclusion and economic growth: Evidence from Nigeria. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies, 14(16), 155-173. doi:10.3991/ijim.v14i16.17263.
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Vitalis, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Ogunbola, O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Ridwan, M. (2025). Accessing Digital Divide and Implications in Nigeria: The Media Dimension. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 1-12.
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Adejumo, A. V., Awojobi, O. M., & Adegbuyi, O. A. (2021). Digital agriculture: Transforming Nigerian agriculture through digital technology. Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development, 59(2), 207- 220. doi:10.17306/J.JARD.2021.01482
Afolabi, T., Adeyeye, O., & Adeleye, S. (2020). Impact of e-extension services on agricultural productivity in Nigeria. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 17(5), 2813-2824. doi:10.1007/s13762-019-02412-2.
African Leadership Magazine (2021, March 8). Digital technology – Nigeria's route for economic growth and diversification. Retrieved from https://www.africanleadershipmagazine.co.uk/digital-technology-nigerias-route-for-economic-growth-and-diversification/
Akinsola, G. D., & Akinola, G. O. (2021). Digital economy, infrastructure, and economic growth in Nigeria. European Journal of Economics, Law, and Public Policies, 8(1), 34-46. doi:10.2478/ejelpp-2021-0003.
Aondover, E. M., & Akin-Odukoya, O. (2024). Trends and Dynamics of Popular Culture and Media Messages on Public Transport Literature in Nigeria. Lakhomi Journal Scientific Journal of Culture, 5(3), 183-195.
Aondover, E. M., Daushe, A. U., Ogunbola, O., & Aondover, P. O. (2025). Media Coverage of Internally Displaced Persons in two Selected Newspapers in Nigeria. Journal of Migration and Health, 100301.
Aondover, E. M., Igwe, E. C., Akin-Odukoya, O. O., & Ridwan, M. (2024). Influence of Social Media on News Consumption and Credibility in Nigeria. Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi dan Perubahan Sosial, 11(2), 80-92.
Aondover, E. M., Maradun, L. U., & Yar’Adua, S. M. (2022). Mediatization of the net and internetization of the print media in Northern Nigeria. Unisia, 40(2), 335-356.
Aondover, E. M., Oyeleye, S. A., & Aliyu, M. A. (2023). New World Information and Communication Order and its changing role in Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Kano. Unisia, 41(1).
Aondover, E. M., Tosin, Y. A. N., Akin-Odukoya, O. O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Ridwan, M. (2025). Exploring the Application of Social Media in Governance in Nigeria. SIASAT, 10(1), 30-43.
Aondover, P. O., Aondover, E. M., & Babele, A. M. (2022). Two nations, same technology, different outcomes: Analysis of technology application in Africa and America. Journal of Educational Research and Review, 1(1), 001-008.
Asian Development Bank (2019). Understanding the Digital Economy: What Is It and How Can It Transform? Retrieved from https://www.adb.org/news/events/understanding-digital-economy-what-it-and-how-can-it-transform-asia.
Center for Strategic and International Studies- CSIS (2022). The Digital Literacy Imperative. Retrieved from https://www.csis.org/analysis/digital-literacy-imperative.
Daily Trust (2021, March 22). How technology will rescue Nigeria's economy. Retrieved from https://dailytrust.com/how-technology-will-rescue-nigerias-economy/.
Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy. (2019). National digital economy policy and strategy for a digital Nigeria. Retrieved from https://www.digitalpolicy.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/FINAL-National-Digital-Economy-Policy-for-Digital-Nigeria-October-2019.pdf.
Guanah, J.S. (2021). Media and Theatre as Reliable Catalysts for African Development. Miron Costin: Generis Publishing.
Guanah, J. S., Ejezie, L., & Egbra, S. O. (2023). Science and Technology Reportage in Selected Nigerian Newspapers: A Study of Punch, The Guardian and Vanguard. International Journal of Current Research in the Humanities (IJCRH), No. 27:140 158. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ijcrh.v27i1.9.
Guobadia, O. O. (2023, May 25). The path forward for growing Nigeria’s digital economy. TechCabal. Retrieved from https://techcabal.com/2023/05/25/the-path-forward-for-growing-nigerias-digital-economy.
Idris, M. K., & Msughter, A. E. (2022). Sources of Information on National Issues among Border Communities in Yobe State, Nigeria. ASEAN Journal of Community Engagement, 6(1), 22-47.
International Communication Union (ITU) Academy (2021). Digital Skills Insights 2021. https://academy.itu.int/itu- d/projects- activities/research- publications/digital-skills-insights/digital-skills-insights-2021.
International Communication Union- ITU (2021). Skills development for the digital economy. Retrieved from https://www.itu.int/en/mediacentre/backgrounders/Pages/skills-development-digital-economy.aspx.
Katz, E., Blumler, J. G., & Gurevitch, M. (1974). Utilization of mass communication by the individual. In J. G. Blumler & E. Katz (Eds.), The uses of mass communications: Current perspectives on gratifications research (pp. 19-32). London: Sage Publications.
Kurfi, M. Y, Aondover, E. M. & Mohammed. I. (2021). Digital Images on Social Media and Proliferation of Fake News on Covid-19 in Kano, Nigeria. Galactica Media: Journal of Media Studies, 1(1), 103-124. Doi: https://doi.org/10.46539/gmd.v3i1.111.
Maikaba, B., & Msughter, A. E. (2019). Digital Media and Cultural Globalisation: The Fate of African Value System. Humanities and Social Sciences, 12(1), 214-220.
Mojaye, E. M., & Aondover, E. M. (2022). Theoretical perspectives in world information systems: A propositional appraisal of new media-communication imperatives. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 14(1), 100-106.
Msughter, A. E., Hile, M. M., & Yar’Adua, S. M. (2023). Ethical Issues and Insecurity in Africa: The Media Dimension. Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi dan Perubahan Sosial, 10(2), 58-68.
Msughter, A. E., Ogbonna, S., Fagbohun, A, M., et al (2023) Customers Reactions on Service Delivery by Major Telecommunications Operators in Nigerian Newspapers. Curr Trends Mass Comm, 2(2), 98-105.
Msughter, A. E., Perpetua, A. O., & Itiafa, A. L. (2023). Artificial Intelligence and the Media: Revisiting Digital Dichotomy Theory. In Information Systems Management. IntechOpen.
Nwachukwu, C., & Asongu, S. A. (2020). The impact of digital technology usage on economic growth in Africa. Journal of Economic Studies, 47(1), 33–51. https://doi.org/10.1108/JES-06-2018-0222.
Ogunleye, O. J., & Akinbode, G. A. (2020). An assessment of the impact of digital technology adoption on economic growth and labour productivity in Nigeria. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 11(3), 1054– 1075. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-019-00605-6.
Okorie, N. E., Obijuru, R. N., & Ibe, O. C. (2020). Digital skills acquisition and sustainable entrepreneurship development in Nigeria. Journal of Education, Society and Behavioura Science, 33(2), 56- 69. doi:10.9734/jesbs/2020/v33i230231
Onifade, P. O., Adewumi, A. O., & Ogunleye, O. (2019). Implications of regulatory and policy framework on digital economy in Nigeria. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 10(10), 1- 8. Retrieved from https://iiste.org/Journals/index.php/JEDS/article/view/49669.
Onyejelem, T. E., & Aondover, E. M. (2024a). Digital Generative Multimedia Tool Theory (DGMTT): A Theoretical Postulation. Journalism, 14(3), 189-204.
Onyejelem, T. E., & Aondover, E. M. (2024b). Digital Generative Multimedia Tool Theory (DGMTT): A Theoretical Postulation in the Era of Artificial Intelligence. Adv Mach Lear Art Inte, 5(2), 01-09.
Oreoluwa, P. A., Vitalis, P. O., Nneka, A. Q., Collins-Dike, J., & Ridwan, M. (2024). Online Harassment of Female Journalist in Lagos State. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 4(3), 162-174.
Osho, G. S., Olaleye, S. A., & Ayo, C. K. (2020). Mediated impact of digital media on financial inclusion and economic growth: Evidence from Nigeria. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies, 14(16), 155-173. doi:10.3991/ijim.v14i16.17263.
Solomon, M. (2020). The impact of digital technology usage on economic growth in Africa. Greenwich Academic Literature Archive (GALA). Retrieved from https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/29537/9/29537%20SOLOMON_Impact_Of_Digital_Technology_Usage_On_Economic_Growth_In_Africa_%28AAM%29_2020.pdf.
Tan, N. N., Ngan, H. T. T., Hai, N. S., Anh, L. H. (2022). The Impact of Digital Transformation on the Economic Growth of the Countries. In: N. Ngoc Thach, D. T. Ha, N. D. Trung, & V. Kreinovich (eds) Prediction and Causality in Econometrics and Related Topics. ECONVN 2021. Studies in Computational Intelligence, vol 983. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-77094-5_49.
TechCabal (2022, September 1). Technology now contributes more than oil to Nigeria's GDP. Retrieved from https://techcabal.com/2022/09/01/tech-drives-nigeria-gdp/.
The Nation Newspaper (2022). Positive indicators for Nigeria’s digital economy. Retrieved from https://thenationonlineng.net/positive-indicators-for-nigerias-digital-economy.
Vitalis, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Ogunbola, O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Ridwan, M. (2025). Accessing Digital Divide and Implications in Nigeria: The Media Dimension. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 1-12.
World Bank (2019). Nigeria Digital Economy Diagnostic: A Plan for Building Nigeria’s Inclusive Digital Future. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/nigeria/publication/nigeria-digital-economy-diagnostic-a-plan-for-building-nigerias-inclusive-digital-future.
World Bank (2021, September 24). Digital technologies can help bridge the digital divide in Africa. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2021/09/24/narrowing-the-digital-divide-can-foster-inclusion-and-increase-jobs.
World Economic Forum (2016). Digital Transformation Initiative: Unlocking Digital Value in Nigeria. Retrieved from http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_DTI_Digital_Value_Nigeria_report_2016.pdf.
World Economic Forum (2022, February 14). 3 ways technology can boost economic growth in Africa. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/02/3-ways-tech-and-innovation-can-push-africa-to-the-next-level-of-economic-growth/.
World Bank (2021). Nigeria. Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/country/nigeria