As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark Development Data Day, also known as World Development Information Day, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has issued a clarion call to government and stakeholders at all levels to prioritize investment in inclusive, people-centered data systems to drive sustainable development.
By Chimezie Godfrey
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark Development Data Day, also known as World Development Information Day, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has issued a clarion call to government and stakeholders at all levels to prioritize investment in inclusive, people-centered data systems to drive sustainable development.
In a statement commemorating the occasion, CITAD’s Executive Director, Y.Z. Ya’u, emphasized that while celebrating the transformative power of data, it is even more crucial to focus on building robust, accessible, and disaggregated data infrastructure capable of addressing Nigeria’s pressing developmental challenges.
“Data, if well utilized, can be a panacea to the series of internal challenges Nigeria is facing—be they security-related, governance matters, health, environmental or climate issues,” Ya’u said.
This year’s global theme, “Advancing Global Cooperation for Sustainable Development,” resonates deeply in Nigeria, where systemic challenges such as poverty, inequality, insecurity, and digital exclusion persist. According to CITAD, these are worsened by fragmented and outdated data systems, which continue to undermine evidence-based policy-making and efficient resource allocation.
“Across rural communities and underserved urban areas, many women, young people, and persons with disabilities remain invisible in official data,” Ya’u noted. “Without inclusive and disaggregated data, the government cannot adequately address their needs.”
CITAD flagged persistent deficits in Nigeria’s data ecosystem, which it described as “poor, lacking both in capacity and infrastructure,” making it difficult to collect, process, store, and share data across sectors. The group cited a 2022 Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) report that found over 27 million Nigerians in 97 underserved communities still lack internet access—excluding them from both the digital economy and the national data landscape.
The organization warned that recent developments, such as the 2025 NCC data tariff hike, are likely to further widen Nigeria’s digital divide and limit participation in data ecosystems.
Despite these setbacks, CITAD highlighted several initiatives it has undertaken to bridge Nigeria’s digital and data gaps. Its Digital Livelihood Programme, launched in 2016, has trained hundreds of women and girls in digital skills including data literacy, web design, and digital marketing across northern Nigeria. Additionally, its partnership with international bodies such as the UK’s FCDO Digital Access Programme and the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) has facilitated the creation of community network projects in underserved areas including Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna, and Abuja.
“These community-led networks are already showing promise. Some local governments in Bauchi State have even allocated land to CITAD to expand rural digital centers,” Ya’u stated.
CITAD has also been active in building institutional data capacity by organizing training for civil servants, academics, and civil society groups on data analysis using modern tools like Stata, R, and Python, aligning with Nigeria’s ambition to become a knowledge-driven economy.
The organization also commended other national efforts such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme of the Ministry of Communications and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for building youth capacity in data science, AI, and cybersecurity.
To accelerate progress, CITAD laid out a six-point recommendation for Nigerian authorities:
”Increase investment in data infrastructure and human capital, especially in underserved regions.
”Promote cross-agency collaboration and data standardization across all MDAs to enable interoperable systems.
”Recognize and fund community networks as essential to bridging rural connectivity gaps.
”Scale digital equity and data literacy programs, particularly among women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
”Institutionalize open data principles and promote civic tech innovations.
”Strengthen national capacity for data analysis and visualization through structured training programs.”
“Data is not just a technical issue—it is a governance, development, and human rights issue,” Ya’u concluded. “Nigeria cannot achieve the 2030 Agenda or leave no one behind without inclusive, transparent, and reliable data systems.”
As the world reflects on Development Data Day, CITAD reaffirmed its commitment to advancing digital rights, inclusive data practices, and citizen-led accountability in Nigeria.