Nigeria’s House of Reps Reaffirms Commitment to Digital Governance at West Africa Forum
By Exponent News, Akure May 2025
The Nigerian House of Representatives has reaffirmed its commitment to leading legislative efforts in digital transformation across West Africa, following its active participation in the 2025 West Africa Internet Governance Forum (WAIGF), held in Abuja from May 22 to 23.
The forum, a sub-regional parliamentary gathering, convened lawmakers from ten West African countries who jointly adopted the Parliamentary Declaration on Digital Governance in West Africa — a comprehensive roadmap for inclusive and secure digital governance in the region.
The Nigerian delegation, led by Rep. Adedeji Stanley Olajide, Chairman of the House Committee on ICT, played a prominent role in shaping deliberations. Speaking during the forum, Olajide emphasized the House’s proactive role in building a resilient and rights-based digital ecosystem.
“The House of Representatives remains unequivocally committed to legislative leadership in digital transformation,” he said. “We recognize the indispensable role of parliament in facilitating innovation while safeguarding citizens’ rights, data, and digital sovereignty.”
The Declaration outlines 12 key resolutions, including commitments to capacity-building for legislators, harmonization of regional digital laws, youth involvement in digital policymaking, data sovereignty, ethical AI development, and increased inter-parliamentary cooperation through the West Africa Parliamentary Network on Internet Governance (WAPNIG).
Other resolutions focus on transparency, budget allocations for digital programs, and leveraging institutional memory by involving former lawmakers in sustained legislative dialogue.
The Nigerian House of Representatives pledged its full support to these goals, aligning them with continental and global digital agendas, including the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The House also called on ECOWAS, IGF platforms, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to strengthen support for parliamentary initiatives that promote a safer, inclusive, and accountable digital future for Africa.
Signed:
Rep. Akin Rotimi, Jr.
Spokesman, House of Representatives
