As Nigerians reflect on the life and leadership of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on July 13, 2025, his complex relationship with technology and digital governance takes centre stage. Between landmark tech reforms and controversial crackdowns, Buhari’s administration left a digital legacy defined by rapid growth and firm control.
The Growth: Infrastructure, Innovation, and Investment
Broadband Expansion
When Buhari assumed office in 2015, Nigeria’s broadband penetration hovered around 6%. By 2023, that figure had soared beyond 45%, thanks to the National Broadband Plan 2020–2025. Under his administration, millions of Nigerians gained access to fast internet, driving growth in e-commerce, remote work, and online education.
Nigeria Startup Act
In 2022, Buhari signed the Nigeria Startup Act into law. This groundbreaking legislation provided:
- Tax incentives for early-stage tech startups
- Investor protections to attract venture capital
- A structured regulatory framework to foster innovation
As a result, Nigeria solidified its position as Africa’s largest tech ecosystem, producing unicorns like Flutterwave, Andela, and Paystack.
Digital Currency and Payments
In 2021, Buhari launched eNaira, Africa’s first central bank digital currency (CBDC). The move was a strategic attempt to formalise digital transactions and promote financial inclusion, especially among unbanked Nigerians.
The Control: Censorship, Bans, and Regulation
The Twitter (X) Ban
In June 2021, Buhari’s government suspended Twitter‘s access nationwide after the platform deleted a controversial tweet from the president. The seven-month ban disrupted online businesses, affected digital marketing, and raised global concerns about freedom of expression and tech censorship in Africa’s largest democracy.
Crypto Restrictions
The Central Bank of Nigeria, under Buhari’s leadership, imposed strict cryptocurrency transaction bans, slowing down Nigeria’s booming blockchain sector and causing a wave of tech talent migration.
Digital Surveillance During #EndSARS
During the 2020 #EndSARS protests, the Buhari administration was accused of using digital surveillance and banking restrictions to suppress youth-led online movements. Many viewed it as a contradiction to his pro-tech development narrative.
Other Digital Economy Highlights
- National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020–2030): Focused on digital literacy, job creation, and infrastructure.
- 5G Spectrum Allocation: Paved the way for Nigeria’s first multi-city 5G rollout in 2022.
- National Identity Integration: SIM-NIN linkage was enforced under his watch, enhancing national security and digital identity systems.
- Promotion of Local Tech Firms: Through Executive Order 003, Buhari mandated MDAs to prioritise local content in technology procurement.
