The Senate has disclosed that the proposed National Digital Economy and E-Government Bill is approaching the final stage of legislative approval and is expected to become law soon, providing a legal framework for electronic transactions and digital governance across Nigeria.
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‎Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, Senator Shuaib Salisu, made the disclosure during the 20th anniversary celebration of Galaxy Backbone in Abuja.
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‎According to Salisu, the bill seeks to align Nigeria’s legal system with modern technological realities by granting electronic records and digital signatures the same legal recognition as physical documents.
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‎He noted that while digital technology has transformed daily activities and business operations, existing laws have yet to fully reflect these changes.
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‎The lawmaker explained that the legislation has reached its third reading and could receive final approval within the coming weeks or months, paving the way for broader digital transformation initiatives nationwide.
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‎Salisu also revealed that lawmakers are reviewing the Cybercrime Act to reinforce security within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. He stressed that a thriving digital economy cannot exist without adequate cyber protection, comparing an unsecured cyberspace to a highway left exposed to criminal activity.
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‎Beyond legislative reforms, the senator urged government institutions to embrace greater collaboration instead of operating independently. He advocated the development of an integrated Digital Public Infrastructure that would connect various government agencies and services.
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‎As part of this vision, Salisu proposed transforming offices of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) across the country’s local government areas into community-based digital service centres. He suggested that agencies such as NIGCOMSAT and NITDA should work together by expanding satellite connectivity to underserved communities and providing the necessary digital skills and workforce support.
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‎The senator further praised Jigawa State for laying the groundwork that inspired the establishment of Galaxy Backbone two decades ago under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
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‎Speaking at the event, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, emphasised that digital technology has become central to economic growth and effective public administration in Nigeria.
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‎Akume stated that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda places innovation at the heart of efforts to improve transparency, efficiency and service delivery across public institutions.
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‎He encouraged state governments to take advantage of Galaxy Backbone’s infrastructure to accelerate development at the grassroots level and called for stronger partnerships between governments and the private sector to deepen digital inclusion nationwide.
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‎Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, also highlighted Galaxy Backbone’s contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the agency’s digital infrastructure enabled government operations to continue despite lockdown restrictions and prevented a complete disruption of federal activities.
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‎Mustapha, who chaired the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, noted that the platform made remote governance possible at a critical period and helped ministries avoid unnecessary spending by reducing duplicated technology procurements across government agencies.
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