President Bola Tinubu has appointed prominent figures from the Nigerian business and public service sectors to a newly established Presidential Economic Coordination Council (PECC). Notably, two leading figures in the Nigerian tech space, Chidi Ajaere and Funke Opeke, are among the 31 council members.
The PECC aims to strengthen Nigeria's economic governance by ensuring coordinated economic planning and execution. The council members, including the president, vice president, and key government officials, will serve for one year.
This move signifies a growing recognition of the tech industry's importance to the Nigerian economy. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the ICT sector already contributes a significant 16% to the country's GDP.
Chidi Ajaere, founder of tech-mobility company Greatman Legend, and Funke Opeke, founder of internet service provider MainOne, join a distinguished council that includes business leaders like Aliko Dangote of Dangote Group and Tony Elumelu of Heirs Holdings.
Ajaere is known for his innovative approach to mobility solutions, having launched Africa's first electric vehicle, the JET Mover. Opeke, a telecoms veteran, led the construction of West Africa's first privately owned undersea high-capacity cable.
This appointment follows President Tinubu's inclusion of several tech leaders in his delegation to the India-Nigeria Presidential Round Table last year. This highlights the government's ongoing engagement with the tech sector.
The PECC's formation and the inclusion of tech leaders suggest a growing focus on harnessing technological innovation to drive Nigeria's economic growth.
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