Govt taps public in digital overhaul plan

Nigeria has released the draft technical standards for digital public infrastructure for public consultation and is seeking comments from stakeholders across the country.

According to the National Information Technology Development Agency, the move is part of efforts to build a secure, inclusive, and interoperable digital ecosystem that can drive economic growth, improve public service delivery, and empower citizens.

The disclosure was made in a statement obtained on Monday from the Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations of NITDA, Hadiza Umar.

The draft regulation follows the unveiling of the Digital Public Infrastructure Framework by the Federal Government on March 4, 2025, through the Federal Ministry of Communications.

The framework proposes a whole-of-government approach to reforming public service delivery and provides a platform for the private sector to participate in building and delivering services that improve access and citizen well-being.

It also established the Nigerian Digital Public Infrastructure Centre as the programme office responsible for coordinating education, research, and knowledge management for the development of digital public infrastructure.

NITDA said the draft standards offer a structured guide for the development and deployment of digital public infrastructure in Nigeria. It outlined technical requirements and tested methods for ensuring security, interoperability, and efficiency across digital platforms.

It also detailed how sectoral systems such as digital identity, payment services, and data exchange frameworks can be integrated.

The agency said the standards are based on extensive research, international best practices, and consultations with multiple stakeholders. The aim is to create a unified digital infrastructure that supports innovation and improves lives.

The objectives of the draft regulation include enhancing interoperability between platforms, ensuring data security and privacy, improving accessibility for all users including marginalised groups, setting performance benchmarks, promoting innovation through open-source tools, providing governance guidelines, and standardising testing practices.

The agency urged citizens, civil society organisations, academia, businesses, and development partners to review the draft document and submit their comments to [email protected] before May 8, 2025.

The draft regulation is available on the agency’s official website.

NITDA said all comments received will be reviewed before the final version of the regulation is released. The initiative is expected to play a key role in advancing Nigeria’s digital economy and supporting inclusive national development.