Ogun Senator Pushes Digital Governance Bill, Calls for Nigeria’s Modernization

Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, who represents Ogun Central, has urged Nigeria to overhaul its legal and governance frameworks to keep pace with the global digital economy, noting that while the world has embraced technology, “our laws are still analogue.”

The lawmaker, who chairs the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, delivered his remarks at the conclusion of a two‑week digital skills training programme in Abeokuta, which attracted youths from across the district.

The programme, a joint effort between the National Information Technology Development Agency and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, trained roughly 350 participants in cybersecurity, content creation and other digital skills.

During the closing ceremony held at the JAMB office in Oke‑Mosan, Abeokuta, Salisu said the future belongs to countries and individuals that embrace technology.

“You know, the significance of this training is such that everybody is aware now that technology is the direction to go and the digital economy is growing. We therefore need to focus on two things — education and ICT skills,” he said.

The senator cited the rise of global digital platforms as evidence that technology has become the backbone of modern economies, arguing that anyone lacking digital skills risks being left behind today.

“What does this mean? It does mean that any citizen now that does not have ICT skills, such a person is impaired in what they can do,” Salisu added.

Participants received one week of virtual training followed by a week of hands‑on practical sessions before being issued laptops.

“At least, we have ensured that we are not giving out laptops for people to go and sell them easily. They have been properly trained,” he stated.

Regarding the National Digital Economy and E‑Governance Bill currently before the National Assembly, Salisu described the legislation as a major legacy project aimed at modernising governance in Nigeria.

“This bill is in the third and final stage. This is one bill I want to leave as a legacy of my first term in the Senate. The society has gone digital. Our laws are still analogue. So, the first thing that this bill will do is to ensure that we provide a regulated environment to provide clarity about our electronic transactions,” he said.

He explained that the bill would also require government agencies to digitise their operations and services, and would establish a national digital exchange system to enable seamless sharing of citizens’ data among institutions.

The lawmaker expressed optimism that the legislation would be passed and signed into law before the National Assembly goes into recess later this year.

Speaking about electronic voting and Nigeria’s digital progress, the senator noted that the country has already made significant advances in technology deployment.

He highlighted the systems used by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, saying officials from other African countries recently visited Nigeria to study its admission processes.

While acknowledging that more work remains, he said ongoing investments in broadband infrastructure under the federal government’s fibre‑optic expansion project will improve digital connectivity nationwide and support future electronic voting systems.