FG, Lagos stakeholders push for digital economy, e-governance bill

The Federal Government met with stakeholders in Lagos on Thursday to discuss the proposed Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill, part of a series of consultations designed to shape a nationwide legal framework for the digital economy.

The Lagos meeting followed earlier sessions held in several states as the government works to gather input from each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“After starting with a few states in the last couple of weeks, we were in Lagos today and will be in Kano, Cross River, Kaduna, Ogun, and Abia next week,” the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said.

Speaking at the event, Tijani emphasised the government’s commitment to involving all stakeholders to ensure the proposed legislation is both inclusive and impactful.

“With no current overarching law to back the digital economy in Nigeria, we are keen to collectively craft legislation that can help accelerate the growth of the sector,” he said.

The bill, once passed, aims to improve data interoperability, boost the private sector’s access to government data, and enhance digital services for Nigerians.

Tijani noted that this legal framework would empower government agencies to deliver better services while creating new opportunities for private companies.

“If we can collectively craft a piece of legislation that can help us accelerate the growth of this sector, you can imagine where we will be. So much is possible,” he added.

Funded by the World Bank, the consultation process is designed to incorporate feedback from key representatives in each state, providing a comprehensive perspective on the needs and goals of Nigeria’s diverse digital landscape.

“This process of bringing stakeholders together to get proper feedback on the bill is critical,” Tijani added.

He stated that the support from the National Assembly has been integral to the bill’s development, with the Chair of the Senate Committee on ICT & Cybersecurity, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, and House Committee Chair on ICT and Cybersecurity, Adedeji Olajide, actively collaborating with the Ministry to make the process inclusive.