The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has called for a sweeping digital overhaul of government operations, urging Nigeria to place technology at the core of governance to drive efficiency, inclusion, and sustainable development.
Speaking at the National GovTech Policy Roundtable 2026, Kalu said the country must move beyond fragmented digital initiatives to a fully integrated “Digital First Governance” model that reshapes how public services are designed and delivered.
He described the roundtable as a critical platform for redefining Nigeria’s public sector at a pivotal moment in its development, noting that while the country has recorded progress in areas such as digital identity, payment systems, and e-service platforms, a more coordinated framework is urgently needed.
According to the Deputy Speaker, “Digital First Governance” is not just a policy theme but a strategic shift that requires embedding technology into the very architecture of governance, ensuring accessibility and sustainability, particularly for citizens facing connectivity challenges, low literacy levels, or disabilities.
Kalu stressed that government must stop treating technology as an afterthought or a pilot initiative, and instead make it central to policy design, service delivery, and citizen engagement.
Highlighting the proposed National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, he described it as a landmark legislative effort that could institutionalize digital compliance across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), promote system interoperability, and establish clear roles with enforcement mechanisms that transcend political administrations.
He noted that the roundtable, co-convened by his office, was designed to ensure that contributions from stakeholders—including the public sector, private innovators, development partners, and civil society inform the legislative process, warned that policies developed in isolation often suffer from poor implementation.
Kalu expressed optimism that the engagement would yield a practical reform roadmap, strengthen consensus around the proposed bill, and generate actionable recommendations for the National Assembly. He also advocated the creation of a multi-stakeholder collaboration framework to sustain reform momentum beyond the event.
He urged public officials to embrace institutional reforms with courage, called on the private sector to act as long-term partners, and encouraged development partners to focus on capacity building and national ownership.
In his remarks, Director of GovTech Africa, Fortune Toma, said governments across Africa are increasingly adopting digital tools such as identity systems, interoperable platforms, and data-driven approaches to improve service delivery and transparency.
Toma added that the roundtable is intended to go beyond dialogue by fostering critical discussions, challenging existing assumptions, and co-creating practical solutions to governance challenges.
The event is expected to play a key role in shaping Nigeria’s digital governance framework as the country seeks to modernize its public sector and enhance service delivery for its citizens.
