From Our Correspondent, Ibadan
Mr Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, says the proposed National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill will set Nigeria on a path toward economic growth.
TheNewsZenith reports that Tijjani further said the proposed bill would also ensure efficient governance and a secure digital environment.
He made this remark during the stakeholders’ engagement on the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bil, 2024, on Tuesday in Ibadan.
Miss Banke Ajagunna, a Special Assistant, represented the minister at the engagement, held at the Golden Tulip Hotel Jericho Ibadan.
The minister underscored the importance of the bill. He said that when passed, the bill would enhance the digital economy and build trust between the government and the people.
“The ongoing nationwide stakeholders’ engagement is part of a broader initiative to ensure the proposed bill reflects the diverse needs of Nigeria’s digital landscape.
“We are co-creating a policy framework that will govern how we operate within the digital economy in years to come.
“By the end of the process, we will have crafted a bill that is both robust and much improved for the digital economy to drive,” Tijjani said.
He encouraged all the stakeholders to contribute meaningfully during the engagement. He noted that their contributions were vital for the successful implementation of the bill.
In his remarks, Mr Bayo Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the Oyo State Governor on Information Communication Technology (ICT), said the state has been championing E-Governance and Digital Economy since 2019.
Akande observed that the nation was overdue for a digital economy. He noted that the bill would drive the nation’s economic growth through digital technology.
“Despite advancement in technology, Nigeria’s digital economy still faces critical challenges.
Read Related News:
- TDF hails FG’s 2 creative projects to boost digital economy
- NASENI, NIPSS to enhancing digital economy, job creation
- NITDA seeks collaborative funding to improve digital economy
- Nigeria hosts 2-day regional digital economy conference
- NCC: A Digital Enabler of the Renewed Hope Agenda
“Nigeria lags behind other 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.
“Though Oyo State has already started to introduce digital operation in the governance space.
“The state recently deployed Business Process Automation.
“This is in a bid to make Oyo State Government services go paperless,” TheNewsZenith quoted Akande as saying.
He commended the Federal Government for the initiative. “Its prospects are numerous for the digital economic growth of the country as a whole”.
A software engineer, Abdulrasheed Badmus, presented an overview of the bill during the forum.
Badmus said it aimed to position Nigeria as a digital economy leader in Africa by fostering a secure, inclusive digital environment.
He added that the bill would prioritise streamlined and transparent digital governance. It will thus reduce bureaucracy and facilitate citizens’ engagement.
TheNewsZenith reports that stakeholders at the forum unanimously advocated the speedy passage of the bill.
This, they agreed, is to ensure accountability and transparency in governance.
Do you have a flair for Citizenship Journalism? Share stories of happenings in your area with TheNewsZenith on WhatsApp: 08033668669 or thenewszenithonline@gmail.com. Follow us on www.tiktok.com/@thenewszenithonline. Also, visit, subscribe and like our videos on YouTube @thenewszenithOnline
