The lawmaker representing Ibadan Northwest/Ibadan Southwest federal constituency of Oyo state, Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Stanley Olajide, on Tuesday read for the second time, a bill seeking to provide a legal framework for the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy and the institutionalisation of e-governance.
Presenting the bill during plenary, Hon. Olajide, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Digital Information, Communication Technology and Cybersecurity, said the proposed legislation was timely and critical to repositioning Nigeria in the global digital landscape.
According to him, the bill titled “A Bill for an Act to Provide Legal Framework for the Enhancement and Growth of Digital Economy and E-Governance in Nigeria and for Related Matters, 2025”, is aimed at promoting efficiency, innovation, service delivery and transparency across all levels of government.
Hon. Olajide explained that the bill which consists of 14 parts and 63 sections, covering key areas such as electronic transactions, digital payments, e-commerce, government data preservation, digital trust certification and the integration of ICT in public institutions is a blueprint for modern governance, which will in turn provide the legal and institutional backing to digitize public services, reduce waste and promote inclusive access to digital opportunities.
He noted that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) will be mandated to establish ICT units, digitize their services, implement cybersecurity protocols and report annually on their progress, ensuring accountability and sustainability.
Citing economic data, the two term P.D.P lawmaker said Nigeria’s digital economy currently contributes between 16 – 18 per cent to the national GDP. He projected that with proper legal backing, the figure could rise to 22 per cent by 2030.
Olajide maintained that the cost implication of the bill’s implementation, remains a necessary investment in national development and a pathway to eliminating bureaucratic inefficiencies and corruption through technology driven systems, disclosing that the bill is designed to expand the country’s digital economy, empower youths and reposition Nigeria as a serious player in the fourth industrial revolution.
Earlier, Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide presented before the house, a report of the committee on Digital and Information Technology on the bill for an act to establish Federal Institute of Information Communication Technology, Idanre Ondo state to provide full time courses, teaching, instructions and training in Information Communication Technology and to provide for the appointment of the provost and other officers of the institute to carry out the administration and the discipline of students of the institute and for related matters.
