The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), are reviewing the Digital Public Infrastructure
By Ijeoma Olorunfemi
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), are reviewing the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Life Events and the Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX) drafts.
The two-day public review of both drafts is aimed at harmonising stakeholder inputs towards building secure and inclusive systems for governance and service delivery.
The event has its theme: “Advancing Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure through Standards, Data Exchange and e-Government Transformation.”
Malam Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of NITDA, urged the NGF to embrace inclusive and co-created DPI.
Represented by Dr Wariowei Dimie, Director, Cooperate Planning and Strategy, Inuwa said that co-creating the DPI would enable smooth implementation.
“The two drafts work together to ensure that our desire to make Nigeria a digitally empowered country is achieved.
“The Federal Government cannot do it alone, the sub nationals are going to be a critical part of this so that it will be a whole-of-government approach to solving our critical problems,” he said.
Dr Abdulateef Shittu, Director-General of NGF, represented by Mr Shina Ayotola, Chief Programme Officer of NGF, said that achieving an interoperable and inclusive governance system cannot be done in isolation.
Shittu said that this could be achieved through collaboration between the federal and state governments.
According to him, the NGF has been intentional towards digital transformation, hence their DPI Readiness Report, an assessment of digital public infrastructure, policies and capabilities across states of the federation.
“Already, the findings of the DPI Readiness Report are shaping conversations, informing policy design and institutional reforms.
“It has given states the tools to benchmark their progress, learn from one another and align with national digital transformation initiatives,” he said.
Mr Adeladan Olarinre, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, said DPI had become the backbone of 21st century governance for better service delivery.
Represented by Mr Johnson Bareyei, Director, e-Government, Olarinre said that DPI referred to the foundational digital systems that enabled seamless identification, secure payments and trusted data exchange.
“For Nigeria, the deployment of DPI is not just a technological aspiration; it is the foundation upon which we can deliver inclusive economic growth.
“It can reduce transaction costs in governance; improve public service delivery; and foster trust between government and citizens.
“DPI will help us achieve the goals of the Renewed Hope Agenda by ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind in the digital economy,” he said.
He said that states were the frontline of service delivery, adding that the success of the country’s DPI journey depended on how well governors integrated those systems into their development strategies. (NAN) (http://www.nannews.ng)