The National Assembly, Thursday, noted that Nigeria is still lagging behind in the areas of digital sophistication and security.

It noted that these areas are critical to the government’s digital economy development agenda.

The Senate and House of Reps Committees made this observation when they visited a federal government agency, Galaxy Backbone on Thursday.

The lawmakers were at the agency in exercise of Legislative Oversight, a responsibility of the National Assembly which includes to carry out checks on agencies of the federal government on general institutional framework and specific matters.

The Committees promised to help the agency develop the economy through the digital space.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cybercrime, Senator Yakubu Oseni, during his speech, noted that the world had moved into the blazing digital ecosystem which accelerates at the speed of light accompanied by a high risk of cybercrime.

The National Assembly Committees pointed out that the gains of digital technology were being dampened by rapid evolution of the cybersecurity threat landscape with a global dramatic rise in cybercrime.

“Nigeria is still lagging behind in digital sophistication, digital security and knowhow which are critical to the development agenda,” they said.

Members of the NASS Committees, however, called for appropriate modalities to be put in place to secure cyberspace and reap from all its numerous benefits.

“As the agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria responsible for internet service provision and protection for MDAs, Galaxy Backbone has before it, the big task of ensuring that Nigeria is up to date with the rest of the world in the cyber technology domain,” Oseni said.

“AS partners, we are leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of accelerated economic development through the digital space

“Accordingly, we assure you all of our support. We implore all of you to have your hands on deck to promote this course.

“Having gone round the building my colleagues, there is more to be done here for Galaxy Backbone to work effectively from what we’ve seen today. I think working together with members of the National Assembly, the MD will bring out a good plan for Galaxy Backbone to achieve its goals. In every organisation legislation is power.

“It is the key that drives the effectiveness of every organisation. When there’s policy…effective police put in place. And I believe everyone will do their best.

“And as such, I call that remaining parts of this data centre be completed and well equipped. And data recovery centres have to be built in all geopolitical zones of the federation.

“We’ll put heads together to see how we can make Galaxy Backbone the best not just in Nigeria but in Africa,” the Committees said.

DailyPost