By Kingsley Samuel
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Dr George Akume, on Wednesday said Nigeria must intensify investments in digital infrastructure and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders to unlock economic growth, improve governance and enhance public service delivery.
Akume stated this in Abuja at the Digital Transformation Summit organised as part of activities marking the 20th anniversary of Galaxy Backbone, GBB, themed “Powering Nigeria’s Digital Future.”
According to him, countries that successfully deploy technology-driven solutions will enjoy greater economic competitiveness and improved national prosperity in the years ahead.”
The future of government will be digital, the future of economic competitiveness will be digital, the future of public service delivery will be digital, and the future of national prosperity will increasingly depend on how effectively we leverage technology to improve the lives of our people,” he said.
The SGF noted that while Nigeria has made progress in its digital transformation journey, achieving meaningful impact will require robust infrastructure, innovation, collaboration and institutions capable of delivering services at scale.
He commended Galaxy Backbone for its contributions to government digitalisation, describing the organisation as a strategic national asset that has played a vital role in supporting digital services across public institutions over the last two decades.
Akume urged state governments, federal agencies and private sector players to work more closely in accelerating the deployment and adoption of digital solutions across the country.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Backbone, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, said digital transformation has become a key driver of economic growth and national development globally.
According to him, nations that continue to invest in digital infrastructure are positioning themselves for future economic leadership, adding that Nigeria possesses significant potential owing to its large population and expanding innovation ecosystem.
“Across the globe, nations are investing heavily in digital infrastructure because they recognise a simple truth: those who lead digitally will lead economically,” Adeyanju said.
He stressed that the next phase of Nigeria’s digital development would depend largely on stronger partnerships among government institutions, the private sector and other stakeholders to create a more connected and efficient digital ecosystem.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, said the country’s legal and regulatory frameworks must evolve to support the realities of a rapidly growing digital economy.
He disclosed that the National Assembly is currently considering legislation that will provide legal recognition for digital records and transactions, while also strengthening existing cybersecurity laws.
Salisu, however, cautioned against the proliferation of isolated digital platforms across government institutions, urging agencies to embrace integrated systems that enable seamless data sharing and more efficient service delivery.
According to him, interconnected digital infrastructure remains essential for improving governance, reducing inefficiencies and delivering better services to citizens. Vanguard report.
