On Thursday, the Federal Government engaged with key stakeholders in Lagos to discuss the proposed Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill, a critical step towards establishing a nationwide legal framework for Nigeria’s digital economy. This meeting, which followed similar consultations in other states, is part of an ongoing effort to gather input from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, shared that after successful sessions in several states, the Lagos meeting marked another milestone in the process, with additional sessions planned in Kano, Cross River, Kaduna, Ogun, and Abia next week.

Tijani highlighted the government’s commitment to ensuring that the legislation is inclusive, involving a wide range of stakeholders to address the needs of all regions. “With no overarching law to back the digital economy in Nigeria, we are keen to collaboratively craft legislation that can accelerate the growth of the sector,” he stated.

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The proposed bill aims to improve data interoperability, enhance private sector access to government data, and elevate digital services for Nigerian citizens. Tijani emphasized that such a legal framework would empower government agencies, making them more efficient, while simultaneously opening new opportunities for private companies to thrive.

This consultation process, funded by the World Bank, is crucial in ensuring that feedback from stakeholders across the nation informs the bill‘s final version. Tijani stressed the importance of this collective effort in shaping a policy that will help Nigeria become a leader in digital transformation.

The bill’s development has also seen strong support from the National Assembly, with Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, Chair of the Senate Committee on ICT & Cybersecurity, and Adedeji Olajide, Chair of the House Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, playing key roles in the inclusive process.