Tijani Urges Stakeholders to Expedite Action on National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill

Emma Okonji

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has urged all stakeholders involved in drafting the proposed National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill, to do so with all urgency of purpose, owing to the significance of the proposed bill.  

The minister said this during one of the stakeholders’ engagement forums, held recently in Lagos, as part of the ongoing nationwide consultation exercise on the draft National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill, driven by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, with stakeholders from a diverse segment of the society participating.

The stakeholder engagement exercise will see the bill taken across all 36 states of the federation and Abuja, the federal capital territory.    
In his remarks at the stakeholders’ event, the minister spoke of the importance of technology and innovation in enhancing national productivity, while urging stakeholders to ensure that they contribute meaningfully towards making the bill a robust legislation.

“There is no overarching law to back our digital economy in Nigeria. So, 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,” Tijani said.

“It is very important to bring people together to get proper feedback. Therefore, when you leave the venue of the forum, beyond your contributions, make sure you share with all stakeholders within your network, why we must all contribute to making this a holistic legislation,” Tijani added.

The National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill, which is sponsored by Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, representing Ogun West Constituency, and Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide, member, Federal House of Representatives, representing Ibadan North West/South West Federal Constituency, is poised to be the most comprehensive piece of legislation guiding the transformation of Nigeria’s digital economy.

The Bill will, among other benefits, enhance the use of digital technology to grow Nigeria’s economy, provide a legal framework to support international digital trade and investments using digital means, and encourage and improve service delivery, openness and accountability for the delivery of public or citizen digital services.

At the Lagos forum, Salisu outlined why participants at the session must attach significant importance to the stakeholder engagement saying: “This is the first time a Bill has been taken across all six geopolitical zones in Nigeria to ensure that the legislation that emerges reflect the realities, yearnings, and aspirations of the Nigerian people.

“This bill will be the most profound one in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration because it has the potential to influence the way we work, live, and interact with one another.”

Salisu stressed that for the bill to succeed, citizens must approach it with optimism and constructive engagement.

While speaking at the forum, Co-sponsor of the National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill, Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide, solicited the support of citizens as they work towards passing the Bill. He went on to restate his determination that the end result of the exercise must reflect the broad expectations of the people.

The Lagos stakeholder engagement was attended by notable personalities from the private sector, civil society organisations, and public sector officials, including Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Tunbosun Alake.

The nationwide engagement, which is supported by the World Bank Group’s Identification for Development (ID4D) Initiative, is scheduled to continue this week in five states including Kano, Cross River, Kaduna, Ogun and Abia.