Buhari seeks framework to harmonise digitisation, e-government initiatives

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Presidential Council on Digital Economy and e-Government to develop a framework for harmonisation of digitisation and e-government initiatives at federal and state levels.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the council in Abuja, the President noted that there have been pockets of digital initiatives going on at state levels, independent of the Federal Government.

Buhari, who was represented by Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, said the framework would be developed to enable sub-national entities to play their roles while Federal Government provides necessary intervention.

He said: “Many states have good initiatives on the digital economy. However, there is a lack of harmonisation in their activities. The secretariat has been directed to come up with frameworks for the digital economy, which can be implemented in our states.

“Many important things have been discussed and we have agreed on all of them. And it is because of this that we plan to have another meeting as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, and his Edo State counterpart, Godwin Obaseki, have declared support for the implementation of the National Digital Economy and Policy Strategy (NDEPS) for inclusive national digitisation and e-government plans.

Uzodimma stressed the need for a well-thought-out policy to ensure the country has a robust digital economy that would create jobs.

He said: “Before this meeting, I was about creating an agency to manage our digital economy but I am going to now create a full-blown State Ministry of Digital Economy and IT Management. I am happy to be a member of this council and will do my best to contribute my quota towards national development.”

Obaseki noted that the world has fast become a global stage and Nigeria cannot afford to be left out.

He said: “In Edo, we have already initiated a lot of activities. Edo Best Educational platform runs on technology where all our 15,000 teachers have devices. We are implementing technology in our Primary Health Care centres. We have hubs of our own, and they are not aligned with what is happening nationally. This council will help align the different initiatives on digitisation from different parts of the country.”

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, said there is an existing collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to come up with indigenous devices. He added that the devices would be used in the implementation of the NDEPS.

Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, requested that the chairman set up a sub-committee to look at thematic areas for the implementation of the NDEPS. He also requested ratification of terms of reference for the council.

Technical Assistant to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Femi Adeluyi, emphasised that the Nigeria e-Government Master Plan implementation will be based on the use of ICTs in public administration.

According to him, it will be combined with organisational change and new skills to improve public services, and democratic processes and strengthen support for public policies.