National Assembly Moves to Pass Digital Economy Bill This Week, Presidency Awaits Assent

Nigeria is poised for a massive digital transformation this week, as the National Assembly today, Monday, November 10, 2025, moved decisively towards the final passage of the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill (NDEEG) 2025.

The legislative push gained critical momentum at a one-day public hearing in Abuja, jointly organized by the Senate and House Committees on ICT and Cybersecurity, where lawmakers and stakeholders emphasized the urgency of the reform.

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who spoke at the hearing, disclosed the executive’s eagerness for the legislation. “This Bill is being awaited by President Bola Tinubu for assent this week, being one of the catalysts for the actualisation of the projected $1 trillion economy,” Dr. Tijani stated.

End to Paper Governance and Data Fragmentation

The NDEEG Bill is intended to be the legal backbone for Nigeria’s digital future, addressing structural inefficiencies that have plagued governance for years. It seeks to provide regulatory clarity for electronic transactions, recognizing digital signatures and electronic records as legally valid and enforceable.

Furthermore, the legislation mandates the digital transformation of public institutions, aiming to end paper-based processes and reduce the bureaucratic bottlenecks that fuel corruption and inefficiency. A key provision is the establishment of a National Data Exchange system to ensure seamless information sharing among MDAs, directly tackling the problem of fragmented data systems.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, confirmed the commitment to speed: “We plan to pass the Bill for the third reading and harmonization within the week, ensuring its speedy transmission to the President.”

Dr. Tijani highlighted that the Bill is expected to unlock immense private-sector potential and increase the digital economy’s contribution to the nation’s GDP from the current 19% to a targeted 21% by 2027. Once signed, the NDEEG Act will not only cement Nigeria’s leadership in Africa’s digital economy but also serve as a blueprint for other nations seeking to leverage technology for growth and modern governance.