Oyo, Stakeholders Call for Swift Passage of Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill
IBADAN/Nigeria: The Oyo State Government and key stakeholders have called for the expedited passage of the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, describing it as a pivotal move to enhance accountability and transparency in governance.
The advocacy was made on Tuesday in Ibadan during a stakeholders’ engagement session on the bill, which aims to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation. The event drew government representatives, tech ecosystem leaders, and industry experts, all underscoring the necessity of the proposed legislation.
Representing the Minister for Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Olatunbosun Tijani, at the event, Banke Ajagunna highlighted the bill’s potential to strengthen trust between citizens and government while boosting the country’s digital economy. “This bill is a transformative step for Nigeria. It will enhance public service delivery, foster economic growth through digital technology, and create a competitive digital economy,” Ajagunna stated.
The minister’s representative explained that nationwide consultative engagements are ongoing to incorporate diverse stakeholder input into the bill. The initiative, she noted, seeks to modernise governance by promoting transparency, accessibility, and responsiveness through e-governance tools.
Ajagunna further detailed the bill’s objectives, including digital infrastructure development, regulatory support for digital commerce and cross-border trade, and programs to improve digital literacy and inclusion, especially in underserved regions. She added that passing the bill would position Nigeria as a leading digital economy in Africa while enabling citizen-centric public services.
Speaking at the event, Mr Bayo Akande, Senior Special Assistant on ICT and E-Governance to the Oyo State Governor, praised the Federal Government for proposing the bill, emphasising its relevance to the nation’s current challenges. “Despite technological advances, Nigeria remains behind countries with robust e-governance frameworks. Without this intervention, we risk losing critical economic opportunities in a digital-driven world,” Akande said.
He pointed to Oyo State’s proactive steps in digital governance, such as deploying Business Process Automation to make state services paperless, as an example of the benefits the bill could bring if implemented nationwide. Akande stressed that the legislation would address critical gaps and unlock Nigeria’s potential in the digital economy while safeguarding consumer data and empowering citizens.
The bill also aims to support international digital trade, encourage export-oriented capacities within the digital economy, and provide a legal framework for innovative and sustainable growth in the sector.
The session, which was attended by leaders from the tech ecosystem and other key stakeholders, ended with a unanimous call for the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the bill to ensure Nigeria’s digital economy remains competitive on a global scale.
