Nigeria’s
Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani
has led a stakeholder engagement session focused on the Digital Economy and
e-Governance Bill, part of a nationwide consultation initiative. Held across
Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), this extensive
consultation process aims to gather insights and feedback from a diverse range
of stakeholders as Nigeria moves toward enacting comprehensive legislation to
support its digital economy.
As the digital
landscape continues to evolve, Dr. Tijani stressed that Nigeria currently lacks
an overarching legal framework to drive the growth of its digital economy.
“We are committed to collaboratively crafting legislation that can help us
accelerate sectoral growth,” he stated. The minister explained that the
bill is intended to establish a robust legal foundation that not only enables
the government to enhance public service delivery but also empowers the private
sector. By facilitating better access to government services and data, the new
law seeks to boost economic productivity, foster innovation, and enhance the
nation’s digital infrastructure.
Central to the
development of this bill is the concept of data interoperability, which will
allow for seamless integration between various government platforms, enhancing
efficiency and accessibility. “Our goal is not just to empower the
government to deliver better services but also to enable the private sector to
utilize government data to meet their objectives,” he added.
In
collaboration with both chambers of the National Assembly, the Ministry is
ensuring that this legislative process is inclusive and representative. Senator
Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, Chair of the Senate Committee on ICT &
Cybersecurity, and Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide, Chair of the House Committee
on ICT & Cybersecurity, have both played key roles in driving engagement,
signaling a strong bipartisan commitment to Nigeria’s digital future.
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
