GovTech Roundtable: Atanda Advocates for National Digital Governance Strategy
DeRemi Atanda, the Managing Director of Remita Payment Services Limited, has issued a compelling call for a more coordinated and deliberate national strategy on digital governance. He emphasized the critical need for structural alignment, policy clarity, and institutional coherence to drive Nigeria's digital transformation forward. Atanda made these remarks during the private sector panel session at the National GovTech Policy Roundtable 2026, held at the National Assembly Library Trust Fund Complex in Abuja.
Addressing Foundational Gaps in Digital Architecture
Speaking on the theme 'Building the Digital Backbone of Government: Innovation, Investment and Global Expertise for Sustainable Governance', Atanda highlighted the persistent foundational gaps that shape Nigeria's digital journey. He pointed out the existence of too many silos and questioned the custodianship of a unified technology architecture. "There remain far too many silos. The question we must ask is this: who today serves as the custodian of a unified architecture for redefining how technology serves both government and citizens? Where, indeed, is the national architecture?" he stated.
Atanda further noted that Nigeria lacks an aggregated or cohesive view on deploying technology for large-scale transformation. His comments framed the roundtable's objective to translate political will into a practical blueprint for "Digital First Governance", starting with a clearly defined and nationally coordinated architecture.
Legislative and Citizen-Centric Focus
In his opening remarks, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chief Convener of the event, underscored the importance of anchoring digital transformation on citizen outcomes. He described digital first governance as a strategic posture that requires moving beyond treating technology as an afterthought. "The measure of digital first governance will not be found in the servers we procure, the applications that we launch, or the policies that we gazette. It will be found in the experience of the Nigerian citizen in whether government is responsive, whether government is accessible, whether government is trustworthy and whether government is just," Kalu emphasized.
Atanda echoed this sentiment, highlighting the role of legislative engagement in shaping effective reforms. He expressed encouragement that the conversation was taking place on a legislative platform, noting that a comprehensive understanding of the ecosystem is essential for crafting forward-looking legislation. "Without a comprehensive understanding of the broader landscape, it becomes exceedingly difficult to craft effective and forward-looking legislation," he added.
Rethinking Technology Procurement for National Self-Determination
The Remita boss also stressed the urgency of rethinking procurement as a strategic lever for transformation, advocating for a Nigeria-first approach. He called for a more aggregated method to technology procurement that leverages local human capital and institutional capacity. "There ought to be a more aggregated approach to technology procurement, one that draws directly from the source. The country possesses both the human capital and the institutional capacity required at its core. If we do not think for ourselves, no one else will. There is a pressing need to rethink a Nigeria-first approach to technology procurement," Atanda asserted.
He referenced existing executive orders and the Nigerian Content Act, questioning when these would be fully integrated into government service delivery and execution. "The relevant executive orders already exist, as does the Nigerian Content Act. The question now is: when will we fully integrate these into how government reimagines service delivery, engagement, and execution?" he pondered.
Stakeholder Collaboration and Future Directions
Convened by GovTech Africa in partnership with the Office of the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, and the National Assembly Library Trust Fund, the roundtable brought together stakeholders from various sectors to align on actionable pathways for digital governance reform. As Nigeria advances discussions around the E-Governance Bill and broader digital transformation efforts, the emphasis on national architecture, legislative clarity, and coordinated execution signals a critical shift towards a more structured and sustainable GovTech ecosystem.
This event marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria's push for digital innovation, with leaders like Atanda and Kalu championing a unified strategy to enhance governance through technology. The call for a national digital governance strategy reflects a growing recognition of the need for systemic change to achieve sustainable and inclusive development in the digital age.
