The public hearing on the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill 2025 will be held at the National Assembly on Monday, November 10.
The landmark legislation is designed to provide the legal backbone for Nigeria’s comprehensive digital transformation.
The hearing will take place at the Senate Conference Room 022, according to a notice signed by Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, and Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide, Chairman, House Committee on Digital and Information Technology (ICT).
If passed into law, the Bill could be as transformative for Nigeria’s digital economy as the telecommunication liberalization of 2001, setting the stage for a fully digital governance framework.
In the key highlights, the Bill introduces several key provisions aimed at modernizing governance, increasing commerce, and fostering digital skills.
– Legal Recognition of Digital Signatures (Section 15): Electronic signatures would be legally valid if secure, unique, and tamper-evident. This would streamline contracts and transactions, boosting Nigeria’s role in global digital trade.
– Retention in Electronic Form (Section 4): Documents and records can now be legally kept in electronic form, enabling paperless governance, reducing costs, and promoting cloud-based archiving.
– Nigeria Data Exchange (Section 46): Establishes a centralized platform for government agencies to share data, which aims to break data silos and integrate services such as tax, health, and identity management.
– Innovation, Accountability, and Workforce Development: The legislation would mandate and strengthen strategic reforms for accountability and future readiness.
– Ethical AI Principles (Section 63): AI development must comply with fairness, transparency, and accountability standards. It also mandates AI Risk Classification (Section 65) for proportionate regulation.
– Mandatory Disclosure by Online Suppliers (Section 40): E-Commerce platforms must provide clear business information regarding identity, pricing, and policies, to strengthen consumer rights and trust in online trade.
– Recognition of Non-Traditional Certifications (Section 58): Online learning and bootcamp certificates must be accepted for employment and training.
According to a research, the bill, if passed, would reduce corruption due to transparent digital processes, enhance efficiency in governance and commerce, and align Nigeria with global norms in e-governance and data exchange.
