Osun State government in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on Tuesday, held a stakeholder engagement over the National Digital Economy and E-Governance bill.
The bill aims to drive economic growth through digital technology, improve public service delivery, and create a competitive environment for the Nigerian digital economy.
It also seeks to create export-oriented capacities in Nigeria’s digital economy, support international digital trade and investments, and provide a legal framework for these activities.
In his welcome address, the state Commissioner for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Maruf Ayofe, said the stakeholder’s engagement provided the opportunity to contribute insights, address concerns, and align national policies with local realities.
The Commissioner stated that the bill aligns perfectly with Governor Ademola Adeleke’s led administration vision, adding that the state remains dedicated to harnessing technology to drive economic growth.
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Ayofe commended NITDA for its efforts in championing digital transformation and engaging key stakeholders across various sectors.
Today’s gathering is a testament to our shared commitment to leveraging technology for sustainable development, digital transformation, and effective governance.
“It also marks another significant step in our collective journey towards a digitally empowered Osun State, particularly as we discussed the National Digital Economy and E-governance bill, a policy framework designed to propel our country into a future where technology drives governance, economic growth, and services.
“I must commend NITDA for its relentless effort in championing digital transformation and for engaging key stakeholders across various sectors.
“The theme for this engagement is timely and quite significant as we navigate the digital era, policies, and framework that ensures inclusivity, security, and efficiency in governance.
“These interactive sessions provide valuable opportunities for us to contribute insights, address concerns, and align national policies with local realities.
“The proposed bill aims to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy by providing a robot legal framework that enhances innovation, digital governance, and protection of digital rights.
“For us in Osun State, this aligns perfectly with our administration vision as we remain dedicated to harnessing technology to drive economic growth, improve public services delivery, create job opportunities, foster information, and empower our people.
“Through strategic partnerships such as this, we are fostering an enabling environment for digital entrepreneurship, ICT skills development, and seamless E-governance process that will enhance transparency and accountability.”
The Commissioner urged participants to offer recommendations that will shape the implementation of the bill.
“As we deliberate on this bill today, I encourage all participants to actively engage in the discussion and offer recommendations that will shape the implementation of this bill for the benefit of all citizens of Osun State.
“Our discussions should focus on how this legislation can be effectively implemented at the state level, ensuring that Osun State remains at the forefront of digital innovation in Nigeria”.
The chairman, forum of Digital Innovators and Technology Entrepreneurs in Osun State, Segun Solomon, said the forum is expecting the implementation of the bill.
“Before this particular meeting, we’ve had access to the draft of the bill, and we’ve also had meetings to discuss some of the key action plans we can actually take in tandem with this bill.
“One of the things we can start expecting is implementation of the bill actually says by the time it is fully implemented.
“I should also say that even before the advent of this bill, there have been quite a number of things that are specifically stated in this bill that the ecosystem has been doing with the support of the Osun State Government.
“Some of them have been about the digitalization of businesses and training people, business owners, and entrepreneurs on how to digitalize their business, which is one of the key things that the digital economy bill is focusing on.
“We also look at how to multiply the digital skills available to people in Nigeria, and this bill is supporting that and, in fact, instituting it as an act.
“So, we can now expect a multi-faceted approach given to this with a multiplier effect on the ecosystem at large”.
Also speaking, Saheed Ademola, a Senior Legislative Aide to the lawmaker representing Boluwaduro/Ifedayo/Ila Federal Constituency at the national assembly, Hon Clement Akanni, said the lawmaker will support the passage of the bill and ensure that the impulse of be bill is felt at the grassroot.
“The bill is a critical one and what we are doing today is a step towards ensuring the bill is passed into an act and through that, bring innovation into governance.
“My principal will ensure that everything is done to make sure the bill is passed into law, and when that is done, we will also ensure that our people at the local level get the impulse of the bill,” he said.
