FG Launches Presidential Committee to Spearhead Nigeria’s Digital Infrastructure Transformation
In a major push toward digital transformation, the Federal Government of Nigeria has inaugurated a Presidential Committee on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to coordinate the country’s strategic rollout of integrated digital systems. This follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive to implement a national DPI framework that brings together digital identity, payment systems, and secure data exchange platforms. The initiative is a joint effort between the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), signaling a high-level commitment to building a connected digital ecosystem.
Speaking on behalf of the SGF, Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, highlighted the government’s vision of leveraging technology for economic and social growth. He emphasized the importance of robust systems for identity verification and financial inclusion as foundational elements for digital transactions and economic development. Dr. Tijani also underscored the need for a unified data exchange infrastructure to support innovation, evidence-based policymaking, and improved public service delivery.
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, reinforced the significance of adopting a Digital Public Trust model. This approach focuses on transparency, data security, and public-private collaboration. He noted that modern digital infrastructure must treat data as a valuable economic resource and called for greater synergy between government agencies and private sector players to ensure a successful and inclusive rollout of DPI systems.
The Presidential Committee is expected to act as a central coordinating body, aligning the efforts of ministries, departments, agencies, and industry stakeholders. Its goal is to prevent duplication, ensure system interoperability, and guarantee that Nigeria’s digital transformation is both inclusive and globally competitive. The committee’s work will be informed by national standards and frameworks, with strong emphasis on efficiency and sustainability.
Notably, in April, NITDA released a draft of Nigeria’s Technical Standards for DPI, inviting public input. This was a pivotal step in institutionalizing a citizen-focused, secure, and interoperable digital ecosystem. The framework also established the Nigerian Digital Public Infrastructure Centre (Ng-DPIC), which will oversee education, research, and implementation efforts. Together, these developments aim to transform public service delivery, drive economic growth, and empower Nigerians through digital innovation.
Source: Nairametric