ICT
Digital Economy: Why N’Assembly Must Repeal NITDA Act Now – Dr. Inuwa
Yemi Itodo
As Nigeria’s economy continues to drift from oil and gas to digital economy and data technology, the Director-General (DG) of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Dr. Inuwa made this call Thursday evening, while playing host to the Senate Committee Chairman on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Bashiru at NITDA headquarters, Abuja.
According to Inuwa, the NITDA Act, which was signed in 2007, has become obsolete, irrelevant and unfit to assist Nigeria achieve her objectives of digital economy and green energy policies.
He added that, the agency was already on the right pedestal to make information and data technology, artificial intelligence development and other components of digital economy work for Nigeria, but expressed fears and worries that such policies would not work without an enabling laws, such as repealing the NITDA Act.
“We need a law to help us institutionalize and make it work. Even some of the vocabularies used in that law are obsolete and no longer in use. We need to change a lot of things and we need to do that as soon as possible, to enable us succeed in the area of green energy and information technology.
“We see IT or digital devices as enabling everything we do. About 80% of what we do everyday is powered by digital technology.
“How do we use artificial intelligence to improve our farm products and how to predict and share information about our farm. It is through the technology made available to us”, Inuwa said.
He said the agency was already working with the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and relevant authorities, to submit a clean amendment Bill to the National Assembly for legislative work.
When repealed, the new NITDA Act would guarantee the safety of personal data of Nigerians as well as empowering NITDA in implementing the digital economy and data technology.
The law would also give the agency the capacity to regulate information technology based on Federal Government’s objectives, while promoting local and indigenous products and making Nigeria a hub for innovations.
Earlier, the Spokesman of the Senate, Senator Bashiru expressed satisfaction, on behalf of the Senate, over the progress made by NITDA in information technology and digital economy.
The lawmaker, while assuring the agency of possible collaborations in its duties, also alluded to the need for an enabling law to allow the agency function optimally.
“The 9th Senate would not hesitate to work with any agency that is willing to help the country move.
“We have a country that the population is growing and it is projected that in the next 10 years it would overshoot. The areas of green energy, ecosystem and agricultural productivity would be a great challenge, if we do not plan ahead. We look forward to your agency to assist in information technology by giving the needed guide for the growth of agriculture and our national economy.
“We should be net exporters of foods and not to he relying on other countries for food productions”, the lawmaker said.
Senator Bashiru also charged the DG to stern the capacity of his organization to be able to match the workforce needed for the education of the younger generations and in meeting up with the global trend of digital technology.
NITDA was established by President Olusegun Obasanjo in year 2001, as a hub for developing information technology for Nigeria. The agency, under the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, is expected to champion the roadmap for the implementation of digital economy policy of the Federal Government.
Author Profile
Latest entries
InterviewsJuly 22, 2023Why I seek Urgent Intervention on Karim and Wurkin Ethnic Crisis – Hon Lauya
EducationJune 26, 2023Why I Support Fuel Subsidy Removal, How State Police Can Work – University Don
NewsSeptember 2, 2022Regulations 2019: NAPTIP Extends 60 Days Ultimatum Issued To Private Shelters And Rehabilitation Homes
NewsJune 26, 2022Hon Buba Felicitates with Speaker Gbajabiamila at 60
ICT
Kogi First Lady Calls For Responsible Use Of ICT
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The wife of Kogi Governor, Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo, has called on youths across the state to embrace responsible use of Information and Communication Technology and digital platforms as tools for promoting positive values in society.
adsbygoogle || []).push({});
com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
Mrs Ododo made the call at a sensitization programme held in Government House, Lokoja, to commemorate the 2025 International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, and 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence,
The First Lady said the celebration was part of Kogi Government’s efforts to strengthen the campaign against violence targeted at women and girls in the state.
She stressed the significance of this year’s theme, which focuses on combating the growing menace of digital violence.
Mrs Ododo urged all well‑meaning citizens of Kogi State and Nigeria to reject every form of online abuse, harassment, and harmful content while prioritizing the protection and wellbeing of their families.
She emphasised that violence, whether physical, emotional, or digital, remains a major destroyer of homes, bringing sorrow, disunity, and strife, and appealed to parents, especially mothers, to be vigilant in monitoring their children’s online and offline activities.
Reaffirming the Kogi State Government’s commitment, she noted that safeguarding women and children is a top priority, promoting equal access to education, supporting girls’ and women’s participation in policy‑making, and strengthening empowerment structures.
The First Lady also called on women and girls to stand against digital violence, break the silence, and empower themselves to use digital platforms wisely,
She urging men and boys to join the fight and foster a culture of respect and equality.
The Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Mrs Folashade Arike Ayoade (PhD), and the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Acharu Okpanachi, reaffirmed a united front against violence targeting women and girls in the state.
Ayoade emphasized that the fight is collective, and urged every stakeholder to contribute to a safer society for women and girls.
Hon. Okpanachi said that her ministry will collaborate closely with partners to shield women from all forms of violence and is launching a program offering counseling, support services, and awareness campaigns on women’s rights.
Several speakers also highlighted the importance of women gathering evidence—such as screenshots—to strengthen justice efforts.
The Governor’s wife with other dignitaries had earlier in the morning led Kogi women and girls on a road walk across Lokoja streets on campaign to stop violence against women and girls in the state and Nigeria at large.
Ends.
Author Profile
Latest entries
ReligiousDecember 11, 2025Peace Across Faiths: Minna Town Hall Strengthens Nigeria’s Commitment to Religious Freedom
OpinionDecember 10, 2025LIES VS FACTS: Revisiting The Aregbesola Years In Osun
Business and EconomyDecember 9, 2025KGIRS Sensitizes Stakeholders On Implementation Of New Nigeria Tax Act, 2025
NewsDecember 9, 2025Insecurity: Ododo Briefs President Tinubu On Proactive Measures Put In Place
ICT
Digital Economy and eGovernance: Stakeholders Endorse Bill, Demand Institutional Role Definition
By AbdulRahman Obaje
Stakeholders across Nigeria’s digital and technology ecosystem have expressed support for the proposed National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill 2025, describing it as a vital step toward establishing a comprehensive legal framework that will strengthen digital governance, boost innovation, and accelerate socio-economic development.
com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
However, they urged the National Assembly to address potential overlaps between the proposed law and the mandates of existing agencies to prevent institutional conflict and regulatory burden.
The submissions were made on Monday during a Public Hearing convened by the Joint Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives on ICT, Cybersecurity, Digital and Information Technology at the National Assembly, Abuja.
Among groups that presented their position was the Network of Advocates for Digital Reporting (NADIR), which commended the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and federal lawmakers for the initiative.
Presenting NADIR’s memorandum, its Legal Adviser, Barrister Yunus AbdulSalam (SAN), said the Bill represents a significant legislative intervention aimed at modernizing Nigeria’s digital governance ecosystem and regulating emerging technologies. He, however, cautioned that certain provisions appear to replicate functions already assigned to agencies such as NITDA, NCC, and NDPC.
Such duplication, he warned, could “trigger constitutional and institutional disputes, raise compliance costs, and discourage private sector participation and investment.”
He recommended that the National Assembly adopt a “consolidation and amendment approach,” extracting the Bill’s innovative elements and integrating them into the existing Act, rather than creating new regulatory overlaps.
Responding, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, said the Bill would enhance Nigeria’s digital competitiveness, strengthen e-governance service delivery, improve transparency, and boost the ease of doing business, particularly in the ICT sector.
He noted that the digital economy currently contributes about 20 percent of Nigeria’s GDP, adding that the passage of the Bill would unlock greater opportunities for job creation, innovation, and revenue growth.
Also speaking, Chairman of the House Committee on Digital and Information Technology, Honourable Adedeji Stanley Olajide, said the engagement reflects Nigeria’s commitment to building a transparent and innovation-driven governance structure. He emphasized that collaboration among lawmakers, regulators, and industry players marked “a new phase in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.”
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, lauded the National Assembly for advancing the Bill and assured that stakeholder concerns would be considered to guarantee a balanced outcome. He said the proposed framework seeks to enable seamless data sharing across government institutions and foster stronger synergy with the private sector.
He also highlighted the Bill’s provisions on Artificial Intelligence (AI), describing AI as a strategic tool that could enhance Nigeria’s productivity and global digital competitiveness.
Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, stressed that Nigeria must adopt a modern digital legal framework to benefit from ongoing global technological shifts. He cited the application of AI in agriculture for real-time access to data on best practices, weather patterns, and input quality as an example of the potential impact on food security.
Stakeholders present at the hearing included the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Galaxy Backbone, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), among others.
Declaring the hearing open, the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Oyelola Ashiru, who represented Senate President Godswill Akpabio, described the Bill as a bold step toward aligning Nigeria’s governance and economic policies with global digital realities.
The Bill, if passed into law, is expected to play a transformational role in Nigeria’s digital economy comparable to the telecommunications liberalization policy of 2001.
Author Profile
Latest entries
ReligiousDecember 11, 2025Peace Across Faiths: Minna Town Hall Strengthens Nigeria’s Commitment to Religious FreedomOpinionDecember 10, 2025LIES VS FACTS: Revisiting The Aregbesola Years In OsunBusiness and EconomyDecember 9, 2025KGIRS Sensitizes Stakeholders On Implementation Of New Nigeria Tax Act, 2025NewsDecember 9, 2025Insecurity: Ododo Briefs President Tinubu On Proactive Measures Put In Place
ICT
Kogi State Govt, MTN Resolves Long-standing Dispute
By Abdulrahman Obaje
The Kogi State Government has resolved its long-standing dispute with MTN Nigeria over tax remittance and operational compliance.
This is contained in a press release dated May 22, 2025 and signed by the Press Secretary to the Kogi State Deputy Governor, Unubi Emmanuel
The meeting, held Wednesday at the Government House in Lokoja, was initiated by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and chaired by his Deputy, Comrade Joel Salifu.
Governor Ododo, through his Deputy called on corporate organizations to adhere to tax obligations and operational protocols in their relationship with the government.
He described recent disagreement with the telecom operator that led to service disruptions in the state as a routine challenge in institutional relationships.
The Governor lauded the role of the NCC in mediating in the impasse and acknowledged the willingness of all parties to respect agreements reached by the parties.
He emphasized that Kogi remains open for business, assuring investors of a conducive environment to operate and thrive.
Ealier, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, who spoke on behalf of the National Communications Commission (NCC) revealed that both MTN Nigeria and the state government have agreed to a mutually acceptable terms of settlement of outstanding debts owed Kogi state government by the telecoms operator.
He commmended Governor Ododo for fostering policies that support businesses to grow, adding that the peaceful resolution of the face-off would boost investor confidence and benefit the people of the state.
The meeting was attended by Hon. Hilary Ojoma Egwudah, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor; Alhaji Sule Salihu Enehe, Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS); Alhaji Taofik Isah, Director General of the Kogi State Utility, Infrastructure Management and Compliance Agency (KUIMCA); and Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner for Technical Services at the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), among others.
Author Profile
Latest entries
ReligiousDecember 11, 2025Peace Across Faiths: Minna Town Hall Strengthens Nigeria’s Commitment to Religious FreedomOpinionDecember 10, 2025LIES VS FACTS: Revisiting The Aregbesola Years In OsunBusiness and EconomyDecember 9, 2025KGIRS Sensitizes Stakeholders On Implementation Of New Nigeria Tax Act, 2025NewsDecember 9, 2025Insecurity: Ododo Briefs President Tinubu On Proactive Measures Put In Place