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Nigeria’s digital economy bill to drive growth, e-governance

By Saheed Ibrahim

Stakeholders have affirmed that the Digital Economy Bill, once amended and enacted, will position Nigeria alongside developed nations leveraging digital economies for growth.

This submission was made during the Stakeholder Engagement on the National Digital Economy Bill, held in Akure.

The engagement was organised by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy in partnership with the Ondo State Government, the National Information Technology Development Agency, and the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development Project.

The meeting aimed to deliberate on the bill and gather stakeholder insights to align it with Nigeria’s digital development goals.

The bill seeks to facilitate an accessible and inclusive digital transformation nationwide, enhance service reliability, and boost the integrity of digital services across sectors.

Participants included academics, tech experts, government agency directors, students, and various stakeholders in the tech space, who provided input to strengthen governance structures and enhance national digital infrastructure integration.

Addressing the forum, Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, described the bill as a bold leap for Nigeria.

He noted that the bill would drive economic growth, enhance e-governance, and build capacity for expertise, improve the national trade balance, and accelerate digital transformation within public institutions for efficient service delivery.

According to him, the bill would also promote efficient public service delivery, transparency, and accountability.

Aiyedatiwa said the engagement underscores the value of collaboration, bringing together diverse perspectives to address the varied needs of Nigerian citizens and institutions.

Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on ICT, Hon. Tomide Akinribido, Aiyedatiwa highlighted Ondo State’s efforts to prepare its residents for the digital economy through training and support in digital skills.

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He disclosed that over 100 participants are currently undergoing digital skills training to ensure the state’s economy embraces technology.

“In 2025, the State Government aims to equip 40,000 residents with ICT skills spanning data analysis, programming, coding, software development, and more.”

He added that digital literacy is being integrated into the curriculum for primary and secondary schools across the state.

Aiyedatiwa also revealed plans to host an ICT summit to further stimulate the state’s digital economy.

Presenting an overview of the bill, Barrister Bankole Oke, the resource person, said the bill also aims to regulate the digital economy space, addressing cybersecurity, data privacy, and e-governance issues.

He stated that the bill’s vision is to keep Nigeria a global leader in digital economy practices, simplify governance, and make service delivery efficient.

Oke identified key components of the bill, including electronic transactions, digital governance infrastructure, consumer protection, and public sector accountability.

The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, represented by Hon. Felix Afe of Akoko Northwest Constituency 2, said the bill would enhance efficiency, fast-track service delivery, and strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy.

He urged that stakeholder and expert inputs be incorporated to ensure the bill is comprehensive and effective when enacted.

Speaking for the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, the Dean of Computing and Professor of Cybersecurity, Prof. Boniface Kayode Alese, stressed the need for a robust database to ensure the digital economy and the Digital Economy Bill’s success.

Prof. Alese said the bill, alongside the Cybercrime Act and Nigeria Data Protection Regulation, would significantly bolster Nigeria’s digital economy.

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He noted that the bill would provide a legal framework for digital operations and transactions in Nigeria and encouraged stakeholders to contribute insights to ensure clarity in the bill’s objectives.

Alese further recommended establishing tech hubs nationwide.

Dr Mrs Aladelola Olukemi, Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Information Agency, represented by the Director of Civic Data Management, Mrs Ayetan Titilayo, urged stakeholders to collaborate towards the bill’s success and Nigeria’s establishment of a reliable digital economy.

Participants at the engagement highlighted areas needing attention, such as vague provisions, data collection, protection and usage, offences and penalties, and language concerns.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS), Mr Adebayo Olorunwa Rojugbokan, highlighted how the agency has integrated digitisation into its operations.

Noting that many Nigerians, especially young people, can generate income through the digital space, he said the bill would provide the necessary legal framework to protect businesses and consumers, while also enhancing service delivery in public institutions.

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