The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has reiterated its commitment to advancing the country through the implementation of the Digital Public Infrastructure, DPI, for effective governance.
The commitment was made at the opening of a two day workshop of the public review for the Draft DPI Live Event and the Draft Technical Standard for the Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX) in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
The workshop with the theme: Advancing Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure through standard, data exchange, and e-Government transformation, organized by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the NGF, aims to provide a unified and secure framework for data sharing across government institutions and private sector entities, streamline service delivery, reduce inefficiencies, and drive innovation across key sectors.
The Director-General, of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr Abdulateef Shittu represented by Mr. Shina Ayotola, commended NITDA for its leadership in convening the workshop at a time when the conversation around Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) had become critical to Nigeria’s development aspirations.
He called for collaborative efforts in building secure, interoperable, and inclusive digital systems.
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According to him, “This goal cannot be achieved by each government in isolation. It requires strong federal-state collaboration and robust multi-stakeholder partnerships.
“At the NGF, we have been intentional about ensuring that state governments take the lead in their digital transformation journey. Our DPI Readiness Report, the first comprehensive assessment of digital public infrastructure, policies, and capabilities across Nigeria’s 36 states, was a major step in this direction.”
“This report not only provides a baseline understanding of where each state stands in terms of their digital identity systems, payment systems, and data exchange frameworks, but also offers concrete recommendations to close existing gaps and accelerate sustained digital transformation in all states of the federation.”He added .
“ It highlights the opportunities that exist for governments and the private sector in promoting and building shared infrastructure, services, and skills, all of which are critical to attaining the level of scale and sustainability that Nigeria requires to meet its development aspirations. “
The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Abdullahi, represented by the Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy Dr. Wariowei Dimie, called for collective participation of stakeholders in reviewing the DPI framework and developing the Nigerian Data Exchange.
He called on governments both at the national and sub national levels to unite in achieving Nigeria’s digital transformation targets.
“We need the DPR framework and the Nigerian data exchange to work together to achieve the desire to make Nigeria a digitally empowered country.”
“We cannot do that alone, only at the federal level. The sub-nationals are going to be critically part of this so that it will be a whole of government approach to solving this critical problem. Of course we all know the various things we can do with the DPI and then the data exchange.”
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Rafiu Adeladan, represented by the Director e-Government, Mr Johnson Bareyei, highlighted the significant role the NGF has to play in achieving Nigeria’s DPI and Data Exchange framework.
According to him “Today’s engagement with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum is so significant.”
“Our States are at the frontline of service delivery, and the success of Nigeria’s DPI journey depends on how well the Governors integrate these systems into their development strategies.”
“By keying into initiatives like the Nigeria Data Exchange (NGDX), Governors can enable more efficient land administration, digital tax collection, health and education services, and improve ease of doing business in their respective states.”