FG plans complete digitisation of 774 LGs HQ by 2027

The Federal Government says it will complete the digitisation of the 774 Local Government headquarters in the 36 states by 2027.

The Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said this on Thursday at a stakeholders’ retreat on project 774 connectivity in Abuja.

Tijani said that the project would be executed in collaboration with other agencies under its purview.

He said that the government had a target of 2027 to fully digitalise all the remaining LGAs in the country.

“If you are talking about durations as to when we are going to reach all the 774 LGs, the goal is that by 2027 we would have achieved that.

“We have spread that out in the blueprint that was put out,” he said.

The minister said that one of the goals of the project was to foster inclusive development and access to digital public infrastructure in government offices located all over Nigeria.

According to him, this will include the most remote areas of the country that may have been previously undeserved or unserved.

He also said that the ministry would provide affordable and reliable internet access and resources required to deliver efficient public services through strategic partnerships and the deployment of cutting edge technology.

He emphasised the role of the LGs in delivering public services in Nigeria includes healthcare, education, social welfare, infrastructure development and waste management, among others.

“They are in charge of the provision of essential primary healthcare services, including immunisation, maternal and child health programmes and disease prevention initiative.

“They also take charge of management and administration of primary and secondary schools and implementation of education policies.

“Tjey ensure implementation of social assistance programmes to support vulnerable populations, including the elderly, disabled and economically disadvantaged individuals and families,” he said.

He said that the benefits of connecting LG Secretariats in Nigeria enhanced access to information and services.

”Some of the benefits are that it empower local entrepreneurs and businesses.

“It fosters digital skills and innovation; promotes inclusive development and strengthens governance and accountability,” he said.

Earlier, the Executive-Secretary, Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), Oluyomi Arowosafe, said that internet access, wide internet coverage, and ICT in underserved, unserved, and rural areas would support social inclusiveness and social equity.

“The USPF is doing that with its strategies to provide connectivity, and we do that by granting subsidy to our implementers, and they go to rural areas to deliver those services.

“We intend that our contribution in the LGs will support and add value to probably improve in the standard of living, health, and other areas.

“All these are to support the eight strategic priority areas of the Federal Government, the priority three and priority five, which have to do with economic growth and inclusiveness.

“All these are things that support the Project 774 LG connectivity, and as it stands, it is basically to support citizens’ engagement in the LGA,” he said.

The Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said that the project had already started in the state.

“Some LGAs in the state are already benefiting from this project. It is something that is connecting the people and helping in digitising the administration of local government councils in Kogi,” Fanwo said.