By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
Oyo State government and some stakeholders have advocated the speedy passage of National Digital Economy And E-Governance Bill to ensure accountability and transparency in governance.
The stakeholders, who gathered in Ibadan, the state capital, on Tuesday, said the passage of the bill would smoothen government activities and boost government-citizen engagement.
This were the submissions of speakers at a stakeholders’ engagement on the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill.
Speaking during the event, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Olatubosun Tijani, represented by Banke Ajagunna, noted that the importance of the bill could not be underestimated, as it would enhance the digital economy and build trust between government and the people.
The Minister called on Nigerians and the National Assembly to give the bill the needed support.
According to him, consultative engagement was going on in all the states of the federation to seek the input of stakeholders on the bill.
He submitted that the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill 2024 was a significant step forward in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.
This bill, according to him, aimed to drive economic growth through digital technology, improve public service delivery, and create a competitive environment for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He noted that in a bid to migrate Nigeria into a smart country, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, proposed the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill.
The Minister said the bill offered numerous opportunities for businesses to innovate and expand, with improved digital infrastructure and a supportive regulatory environment.
Individuals, he added, would also benefit from improved access to digital services and better governance through e-governance initiatives.
He highlighted other advantages of the bill to include economic transformation and establishment of a regulatory foundation to encourage digital commerce, cross-border trade, and innovation, positioning Nigeria as a major player in Africa’s digital landscape.
He added that the bill, when passed, would encourage modernised citizen-centric public services.
“It will facilitate the digital transformation of government services to make them more transparent, accessible, and responsive to citizens,” he noted.
Tijani also said the bill would ensure digital access for all, adding “it will promote infrastructure and digital literacy programmes to make digital services accessible across Nigeria, including under-served regions.”
Speaking earlier, the Senior Special Adviser on ICT and E-Governance to the state Governor, Mr. Bayo Akande, hailed the bill.
Mr. Akande, who observed that the nation was overdue for a digital economy “which is the order of the day,” added that the bill would drive economic growth through digital technology.
According to Akande, “despite advances in technology, Nigeria’s digital economy faces critical challenges; Nigeria lags behind countries with robust e-governance frameworks that empower citizens and protect consumer data. Without intervention, Nigeria risks losing economic opportunities in an increasingly digital world.”
In attendance were various stakeholders, including several tech ecosystem leaders.
