The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Digital, Information Communication Technology and Cybersecurity, Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Stanley Olajide, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s resolve to champion a collaborative, inclusive and secure digital governance framework for West Africa, declaring that legislative institutions must lead the charge in shaping Africa’s digital trajectory.
Hon. Olajide, who represents Ibadan North-west/Ibadan south-west Federal Constituency of Oyo state at the National Assembly made the assertion while leading Nigeria’s parliamentary delegation to the 2025 West Africa Internet Governance Forum (WAIGF) held in Abuja from Thursday, 22nd to Friday, 23rd May.
At the forum, which brought together lawmakers from ten West African countries, delegates adopted a pioneering Parliamentary Declaration on Digital Governance in West Africa, outlining twelve key resolutions aimed at harmonising digital policies and protecting citizen rights across the sub-region.
Addressing participants during the sub-regional parliamentary track of the WAIGF, Hon. Olajide said, “The Nigerian House of Representatives remains unequivocally committed to legislative leadership in digital transformation. As custodians of the democratic mandate, we recognise the indispensable role of parliament in not only facilitating innovation but in protecting the rights, data and digital sovereignty of our citizens. Our collaborative engagement within the West African parliamentary network signals our resolve to harmonise efforts for a safer, fairer and more prosperous digital future.”
He revealed that the National Assembly, under the leadership of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, is currently reviewing several ICT related laws to reflect evolving digital trends with regional cooperation needs, while also describing the declaration reached at the forum as timely and strategic and noted that Nigeria’s endorsement was not a ceremonial gesture but a practical commitment backed by ongoing legislative actions.
“Our duty is not just to legislate, but to empower. With the right laws and partnerships, we can ensure that technology becomes a force for equity, opportunity and innovation across West Africa,” Olajide stated.
Earlier at the forum, a twelve point declaration was adopted which encapsulated west africa’s shared vision for a digitally secure and inclusive future. Central to the resolutions is the call for structured capacity building for legislators and aides in areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), data protection, cybersecurity and emerging technologies.
