Today, the House of Representatives holds a public hearing to deliberate on two critical bills to boost digital literacy, innovation, and infrastructure nationwide.
The hearing is currently ongoing and is taking place at Meeting Room 201 of the House of Representatives New Building, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
The House Committee on Digital, Information Communication Technology, and Cybersecurity organised the hearing by Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Stanley Olajide, who represents the Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West federal constituency of Oyo State.
The committee, according to a statement made available to journalists by Tolu Mustapha, Special Adviser, Media and Public Affairs to Hon. Olajide, noted that the session would allow stakeholders to present their views on two proposed legislations: A Bill for an Act to establish the Federal Institute of Information Communication Technology in Idanre, Ondo State (HB. 783) and another seeking to promote ICT education, entrepreneurship and infrastructure development across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with Atisbo designated as the South-West zonal hub (HB. 1360).
According to the statement, the proposed federal institute in Idanre is expected to offer full-time training, teaching, and instruction in various aspects of information and communication technology (ICT). The bill also makes provision for the appointment of a provost and other institute officers and for the administration and discipline of students.
The second bill, HB 1360, seeks to develop a technology-focused ecosystem across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones by promoting digital education and entrepreneurship. It emphasises establishing hubs, including one in the Atisbo local government area of Oyo state, to serve the south-west region.
At the hearing’s opening session, Hon. Olajide stressed the importance of legislative backing for ICT expansion in Nigeria, describing digital infrastructure as “the backbone of a sustainable economy in the 21st century.” He urged stakeholders in the ICT sector, academia, private industry, and civil society organisations in attendance to make their voices heard in shaping the future of Nigeria’s digital policy landscape.
“The bills before us are critical to closing the digital divide and empowering our youth with 21st-century skills,” Hon. Olajide stated. “This public hearing is an open door for innovation, investment and ideas to drive inclusive growth.”
The hearing is expected to attract input from technologists, educationists, policymakers, development experts, and representatives of professional bodies, and its outcomes are expected to shape Nigeria’s digital transformation trajectory significantly.
More details later…
