President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the harmonisation of digitalisation and e-government framework at the Federal and State levels for optimum results.
He said the Presidential Council on Digital Economy and e-Government should immediately develop the framework for the initiatives to facilitate the smooth implementation of the digital Nigeria programme.
Buhari, who is the Chairman of the council, gave the directive at the inaugural meeting of the council at the Digital Economy Complex, Mbora, Abuja.
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The President was represented by Prof. Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, at the event which was attended by Council Members including the Governors Hope Uzodinma (Imo) Godwin Obaseki (Edo) and Hon. Olatunbosun Alake, representing Lagos Governor Babbajide Sanwo-Olu. Others were the Minister of Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and representatives of Governors of Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Gombe.
The Governors, who spoke through Uzodinma, promised to establish a Ministry of Digital Economy in their states, while Governor Obaseki acknowledged the presence of such a structure as already on the ground.
Buhari acknowledged digitalisation initiatives going on in the state levels and expressed the imperative of consolidation of such efforts through a holistic approach for the overall benefits of the country.
He said the launch of the National Digital Economy and Policy Strategy (NDEPS) in November 2019 with eight pillars that required the involvement of all stakeholders necessitated the new development.
He said it would be counterproductive to implement digital economy in silos with the Federal government bearing the responsibility, stressing that States and sub-nationals have a significant role to play in ensuring the achievement of the NDEPS.