The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially launched the Presidential Committee on the Implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) with a clear mandate to drive coordinated, legally compliant, and efficient deployment of digital systems across the country. This move is aimed at supporting Nigeria’s long-term development agenda through the power of digital technology.
The inauguration took place on Tuesday, with the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume. Tijani emphasized the importance of DPI in transforming Nigeria’s economy, creating jobs, and improving governance.
According to him, “Digital Public Infrastructure is the key to unlocking new avenues for growth. It will help improve public service delivery, empower our citizens, and boost the digital economy. But to achieve this, we must put in place a strong and well-organized governance structure to drive its implementation.”
The statement was made available to journalists by the spokesman of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Mr. Segun Imohiosen. The SGF urged the newly inaugurated committee to offer strategic guidance and ensure proper coordination of the three main pillars of DPI: digital identity, financial payment systems, and secure data exchange. He said these pillars are necessary to boost innovation and make governance more efficient through evidence-based decisions.
At the event, Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, promised full support from the commission. She said the NIMC would play its role in helping the country benefit from the full potential of digital infrastructure.
“We are committed to improving the quality of life of Nigerians through the successful implementation of DPI. This includes supporting economic growth and making it easier for citizens to engage with the government,” she said.
Also present at the inauguration was the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi. He highlighted the importance of harmonizing government databases. According to him, doing so would enable smoother data sharing and better experiences for citizens when dealing with government services.
On the financial side, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), Premier Oiwoh, spoke about how DPI would improve identity and payment systems in the country. He stressed the need for collaboration across public and private sectors to solve local problems related to identity and digital transactions. He also noted the ongoing partnership between NIBSS and NIMC to link National Identity Numbers (NINs) with Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), aiming to enhance financial security and streamline access to services.
The Presidential Committee on the Implementation of DPI is chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Other key members of the committee include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (serving as the committee secretariat), the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and Ministers of Finance, Communications, Interior, Budget and National Planning.
Also on the committee are the Director Generals of NIMC and NITDA, whose roles are central to achieving the DPI objectives. The committee is expected to work closely with different levels of government, as well as the private sector, to ensure that the benefits of DPI reach every Nigerian.
DPI involves building essential digital systems that support core government services, such as identity verification, digital payments, and secure information exchange. These systems will improve access to government services, reduce corruption, support small businesses, and strengthen economic resilience.
By building on existing efforts and encouraging collaboration, the committee aims to make Nigeria a leader in digital governance in Africa. The government believes that by unifying data and ensuring accountability, citizens will be able to access services more efficiently and securely.
As Nigeria moves forward in its digital journey, the Federal Government has assured the public of its commitment to deploying technology that improves lives, strengthens national development, and creates inclusive opportunities for all citizens.
