The Senate Committee Chairman on ICT and Cyber Security, Senator Shuaib Salisu, has announced that the National Digital Economy and E-Government Bill is in its final legislative stage and will soon become law, providing legal backing for electronic transactions across Nigeria. He made this known during the 20th anniversary celebration of Galaxy Backbone in Abuja.
Bill to Modernize Legal Framework
Salisu stated that the proposed legislation aims to modernize Nigeria's legal framework by granting digital signatures and electronic records the same legal weight as traditional paper documents. “Our society has gone digital, but our laws remain analogue. This bill is in its third reading. By the grace of God, in the next few weeks or months, it will be ready for final assent to aid digital transformation,” he revealed.
Amendments to Cybercrime Act
The lawmaker noted that the Senate is simultaneously amending the Cybercrime Act to guarantee a secure environment for the digital economy. He likened an unprotected digital space to a major highway left vulnerable to armed robbers.
Call for Unified Digital Infrastructure
Salisu warned government agencies against operating in silos, advocating for a unified Digital Public Infrastructure. He urged federal parastatals to synergize, suggesting that Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) offices across all local councils be converted into digital service hubs. “It would make a lot of sense if we work together rather than begin to draw lines in our mandates. Let NIPOST not just be a place to post letters. Let it be a place that can serve as a digital home for our various communities. If NIGCOMSAT has the strength, let them provide satellites to rural areas that fibre cannot reach, while NITDA provides the manpower,” he said.
He also commended Jigawa State for pioneering the foundational digital template that inspired the establishment of Galaxy Backbone 20 years ago under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Digital Technology Key to Competitiveness
Earlier, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, stated that Nigeria’s economic competitiveness and public service delivery now depend entirely on digital technology. He said President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” prioritizes innovation to drive institutional efficiency and transparency. Akume urged subnational governments to collaborate with Galaxy Backbone to leverage existing digital infrastructure for grassroots development.
According to the SGF, “The future of government will be digital. The Renewed Hope Agenda recognizes that technology is not merely an enabler. It is a catalyst for national development, transparency, inclusion, and growth.” He called on state governments and the private sector to foster deeper partnerships to build a more connected and prosperous Nigeria.
Galaxy Backbone's Role During Pandemic
Also speaking, a former SGF, Boss Mustapha, explained that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Galaxy Backbone played a pivotal role and stopped Nigeria from a total shutdown. He revealed that the digital public infrastructure managed by Galaxy Backbone prevented a collapse of the federal government during the pandemic lockdown. Mustapha, who then chaired the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, noted that the platform enabled seamless, remote governance despite national restrictions. He insisted that “Without Galaxy, we would have shut down the entire Government of Nigeria. Because of the platform you provided, the Government was able to run efficiently and effectively even with the protocols of lockdown.” He further lauded the agency for optimizing public expenditure by acting as a clearinghouse that eliminated repetitive computer procurements across various ministries.
