Digital infrastructure key to economic growth, service delivery — Akume

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By Progress Godfrey

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ABUJA — The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Dr George Akume has said digital infrastructure remains critical to driving economic growth and improving public service delivery in Nigeria.

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Akume spoke in Abuja on Wednesday at the Digital Transformation Summit held as part of activities marking the 20th anniversary of Galaxy Backbone, with the theme, “Powering Nigeria’s Digital Future.”

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He said the future of governance, economic competitiveness and national prosperity will depend on how effectively technology is deployed to improve citizens’ lives. Akume noted that over the years, Galaxy Backbone has evolved into a key national asset supporting digital services across government institutions.

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“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.

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The SGF stressed that beyond vision, Nigeria’s digital future requires infrastructure, collaboration, innovation and strong institutions that can deliver results at scale. He urged states, agencies and the private sector to deepen partnerships and accelerate the adoption of digital solutions.

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Earlier in his remarks, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Backbone Limited, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, said digital transformation is no longer just about technology but a core driver of economic growth and national development.

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Adeyanju said countries investing in digital infrastructure are positioning themselves for global competitiveness, noting that Nigeria has strong potential due to its large population and growing innovation ecosystem.

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“Across the globe, nations are investing heavily in digital infrastructure because they recognise a simple truth: those who lead digitally will lead economically,” he said.

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The GBB boss added that the next phase of Nigeria’s digital growth would depend on stronger collaboration among government, private sector and other stakeholders to build a connected ecosystem.

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Also speaking, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu said Nigeria’s legal framework must evolve to reflect the realities of a digital economy.

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He disclosed that the National Assembly is working on new legislation to give legal backing to digital records and transactions, as well as amendments to strengthen cybersecurity laws.

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Salisu however warned against fragmented systems, urging government institutions to build an integrated digital infrastructure that allows seamless data sharing and efficient service delivery across agencies.

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