By James Ishaku
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reiterated its commitment to collaborating with sub-national governments, stakeholders, and partners in jointly developing a robust framework for Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Data Exchange initiatives.
Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, represented by the Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy, Dr. Dimie Shively Wariowei, made the commitment at the public review of the draft DPI life events and the draft technical standard for the Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX), held in Abuja.
The gathering, themed “Advancing Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure through Standards, Data Exchange and eGovernment Transformation,” served as an inclusive platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and co-creation of strategies that will guide Nigeria’s digital journey.
Inuwa emphasised that the review process is a step toward fast-tracking Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda. He pointed out that while the Federal Government is leading the charge, meaningful impact can only be achieved through active participation from states, institutions, and stakeholders across multiple sectors.
“The review of the DPI framework and the Nigeria Data Exchange work hand-in-hand to achieve our goal of a digitally empowered nation. But this cannot be done in isolation—sub-nationals must play a key role to ensure a whole-of-government approach,” he stated.
The DG further underscored the importance of inclusivity and ownership in the co-creation process. He urged participants to actively contribute ideas and practical insights that will shape the technical details of the framework.
“This is our journey. By co-owning and co-creating it, we can ensure that the outcome reflects our collective aspirations. Let us share ideas and experiences so that this effort becomes fruitful,” he added.
Delivering the keynote address, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr. Adeladan Olarinre, represented by Mr. Johnson Bareyei, described DPI as the backbone of 21st-century governance and service delivery.
He highlighted its role in enabling seamless identification, secure financial transactions, and trusted data exchange, which together form the building blocks of an efficient digital society, stressing its potential to reduce transaction costs, strengthen transparency, and build citizens’ trust in government processes.
Olarinre pointed to global best practices, referencing India’s DPI framework, which has significantly boosted financial inclusion; Estonia’s X-Road platform, which powers secure government data exchange; and Finland’s trust-based frameworks that have transformed service delivery in key sectors such as healthcare, taxation, and education. These examples, he said, illustrate that DPI is not only about adopting technology but also about fostering governance systems built on trust, inclusivity, and efficiency.
The Director General of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Dr. Abdulateef Shittu, represented by Mr. Shina Ayetola, also stressed the critical importance of federal-state collaboration and multi-stakeholder partnerships in building sustainable digital infrastructure.
He drew attention to the NGF’s DPI Readiness Report, the first comprehensive assessment of digital infrastructure, policies, and institutional capabilities across Nigeria’s states.
The report, he noted, is already serving as a reference point for reforms, helping states benchmark their progress, address gaps, and align with national initiatives spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
The NGF reaffirmed its readiness to support the creation of practical DPI use cases in key sectors such as public finance management, agriculture, healthcare delivery, education, and land administration.
These use cases, he explained, will ensure that DPI moves beyond frameworks and standards to tangible solutions that improve governance, economic productivity, and the daily lives of citizens.
“Our doors remain open to federal agencies, development partners, the private sector, and civil society organisations who share this vision. Together, we can ensure that every state, regardless of size or capacity, benefits from the transformative potential of DPI,” the NGF leadership assured.
