Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, who represents Ogun Central in the Nigerian Senate, has called for urgent reforms to modernize the country’s legal and administrative frameworks, noting that many existing laws remain rooted in an analogue era despite the rapid growth of the global digital economy.
Speaking at the conclusion of a two-week digital skills training program held in Abeokuta for about 350 youths from his district, the lawmaker—who also chairs the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity—emphasized that technology is now the foundation of modern economies and that citizens lacking digital skills risk being left behind.
The training, organized in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, covered cybersecurity, content creation, and other digital competencies. Participants underwent one week of virtual instruction followed by a week of hands-on practical sessions before receiving laptops, a measure Salisu said was designed to prevent recipients from simply reselling the devices.
On the proposed National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill currently before the National Assembly, Salisu described it as a key legacy initiative of his first term. He explained that the bill would establish a regulated environment for electronic transactions, compel government agencies to digitize their operations, and create a national digital exchange system to enable seamless data sharing among public institutions.
“The society has gone digital; our laws are still analogue,” Salisu stated, underscoring the need for legal clarity in electronic dealings. He expressed confidence that the legislation would be passed and signed into law before the National Assembly’s recess later this year.
Commenting on Nigeria’s digital progress, Salisu pointed to the technological systems used by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), noting that officials from other African countries have visited Nigeria to study its admission processes. He acknowledged that more work remains but said ongoing investments in broadband infrastructure, including the federal government’s fiber optic expansion project, will enhance digital connectivity nationwide and support future electronic voting systems.