NITDA, Governors Push For Unified Digital Standards To Boost E-Governance
By TOSI ORE
THE National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), and other stakeholders have concluded a two-day public review of the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Life Events and the draft Technical Standards for Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX). The event, themed “Advancing Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure through Standards, Data Exchange, and e-Government Transformation”, ended in Abuja on Thursday with a call for stronger collaboration to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation.
A Push for Interoperability and Inclusivity
Stakeholders at the review noted that the harmonisation of the drafts was critical to building secure, interoperable, and inclusive digital systems that can strengthen governance and improve service delivery across the country. The DPI and NGDX are designed to serve as the backbone for identification, payments, and trusted data exchange—three pillars of modern e-governance.
NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, represented by Dr. Wariowei Dimie, said the DPI framework could not succeed without active involvement from state governments. He emphasised that co-creation with the NGF and other partners would ensure inclusivity, ownership, and smooth implementation.
“The federal government cannot do this alone. Sub-nationals are critical to building a whole-of-government approach that solves problems, reduces inefficiencies, and empowers citizens,” Inuwa said.
NGF’s Role in Driving Digital Transformation
The NGF’s Director-General, Dr. Abdulateef Shittu, represented by Mr. Shina Ayotola, highlighted that the forum had been deliberate in pushing digital readiness across states. He referenced the DPI Readiness Report, an assessment tool that benchmarks states’ progress on digital policies, infrastructure, and governance capabilities.
Shittu explained that the report had already shaped reforms, improved policy design, and encouraged peer-to-peer learning among states. “This review provides the momentum to move from planning to practical frameworks that connect federal ambitions with state-level realities,” he added.
The Federal Perspective
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr. Adeladan Olarinre, represented by Mr. Johnson Bareyei, described DPI as the foundation of 21st-century governance. He noted that beyond technology, DPI would lower transaction costs in government, increase transparency, and build public trust.
“For Nigeria, DPI is the enabler of inclusive growth. It is not merely an aspiration but the foundation of the Renewed Hope Agenda to ensure no citizen is excluded from the digital economy,” Olarinre stated.
State-Level Endorsements
Delegates from several states, including Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara, expressed optimism about the initiative, stressing that aligning state and federal digital strategies would unlock opportunities in governance, business, and citizen services. Many called for capacity-building support to ensure state institutions can adapt to the new standards.
Why It Matters
If adopted, the reviewed drafts will establish Nigeria’s first nationally agreed technical standards for data exchange, ensuring interoperability across ministries, agencies, and states. This will eliminate duplication, reduce inefficiencies, and improve delivery of essential services such as healthcare, education, taxation, and social welfare.
Experts say successful implementation will also strengthen Nigeria’s cybersecurity posture, create new opportunities for innovation in fintech, health-tech, and agri-tech, and boost the digital economy’s contribution to GDP.
