*says Nigeria should embrace tech at core of governance
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu PhD, CFR has called for a fundamental shift in how government is designed, operated, and experienced by citizens, advocating a “Digital First Governance” approach as the cornerstone of sustainable public sector reform.
Delivering his welcome address at the National GovTech Policy Roundtable 2026, the Deputy Speaker described the gathering as one of the most consequential conversations for Nigeria’s public sector at this critical point in the nation’s development.
He acknowledged that while Nigeria has demonstrated strong ambition in digital transformation, through initiatives such as digital identity programmes, payment systems, e-service platforms, and data infrastructure, the country must now move beyond that to a more integrated framework.
According to him, ‘Digital First Governance’ is not merely a theme for the roundtable but a strategic posture that requires embedding technology into the very architecture of governance.
Kalu explained that this means designing policies, services, and systems with digital delivery, accessibility, and sustainability at their core, especially for citizens with limited connectivity, literacy challenges, or disabilities.
“Let me begin with an honest acknowledgement. Nigeria is not short on ambition when it comes to digital transformation. Over the past decade, we have launched digital identity programmes, deployed payment infrastructure, stood up e-service portals, and invested in data systems. We have celebrated many firsts. We have produced policy frameworks,white papers, and strategy documents by the dozen.The theme of this Roundtable: Digital First Governance, is a strategic posture. It demands that we stop treating technology as an afterthought, a modernisation exercise, or a donor-funded pilot project. It demands instead that we embed digital thinking into the very architecture of how government is designed, how services are structured, and how citizens are engaged,” He said
The Deputy Speaker highlighted the significance of the proposed National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, describing it as a historic opportunity to establish a strong legislative foundation for Nigeria’s digital future.
He noted that, if enacted, the bill would mandate digital compliance across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), ensure interoperability of systems, clarify institutional roles, and introduce enforcement mechanisms that go beyond political tenures.
He emphasized that the Roundtable was co-convened by his office to ensure that insights from key stakeholders—including public servants, private sector innovators, development partners, and civil society—directly inform the legislative process. He warned that laws developed in isolation risk repeating past failures, including weak implementation and poor coordination.
The Deputy Speaker expressed optimism that the Rmroundtable would produce a clear reform roadmap with actionable priorities, strengthen consensus around the E-Governance Bill, and generate concrete legislative recommendations for consideration by the National Assembly.
He also called for the development of a Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration Framework to sustain momentum beyond the event.
Kalu therefore urged government officials to embrace institutional reform with honesty and courage, encouraged the private sector to act as long-term partners rather than short-term vendors, and development partners to prioritize capacity-building and national ownership over dependency.
Earlier in his remarks, Director of GOVTECH AFRICA, Fortune Toma, noted that governments across the continent are increasingly leveraging digital identity systems, interoperable platforms, data-driven decision-making, and emerging technologies to close service delivery gaps and enhance transparency.
He noted that the roundtable goes beyond being a routine gathering, and will serve as a working platform designed to ask difficult questions, challenge long-held assumptions, and foster the co-creation of practical and actionable solutions.
