The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) says it will roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX) platforms across key sectors of the economy starting in early 2026, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digital transformation journey.

Director of E-Government and Digital Economy at NITDA, Dr. Salisu Kaka, disclosed the plan in Abuja during a stakeholder review session of the DPI and NGDX drafts at the Digital Public Infrastructure Live Event. Themed “Advancing Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure through Standards, Data Exchange and e-Government Transformation,” the forum convened regulators, state governments, and private sector stakeholders to harmonize inputs for building secure, interoperable, and inclusive systems for governance and service delivery.

Kaka explained that Nigeria already has several foundational elements in place, including the national identity system and digital payment platforms. What remains, he said, is the establishment of the data exchange framework, which is expected to be finalized by the end of 2025.

“Before the end of this year and by next year we will be fully ready with the foundational element, and we start dropping the use cases across sectors,” he stated.

While stressing that the federal government recognizes the autonomy of states, Kaka urged subnational governments to align with national standards.

“If the states can model and reflect what happens at the national level, then we can have a 360-degree view of the whole data exchange across the country and drive all-of-government processes,” he added.

Digital services and inclusion

The event also highlighted how DPI could unlock new opportunities in the digital economy.

Director of Digital Transformation at the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), Mr. Gabriel Oladapo, revealed that the agency is already repositioning itself to leverage the shift. He noted that NIPOST has begun replacing traditional post office boxes with digital smart lockers, rolling out digital postcodes for a national addressing system, and offering financial services and international remittances across its branches.

“You can now walk into a post office and perform financial transactions, even international transfers,” Oladapo said.

Connectivity remains a challenge in some parts of the country, but Deputy General Manager at Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), Mr. Ikechukwu Amalu, stressed that satellite technology will play a critical role in closing coverage gaps.

“There are communities not covered by terrestrial networks today, and satellite communication will be vital in closing that gap,” he said.

Trust and data protection

Data privacy and protection were central to the discussions, with the National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, warning that without trust, the adoption of DPI and NGDX could falter.

“Even the most advanced infrastructure will fall short if citizens hesitate to engage. The promise of an efficient, inclusive Nigeria will remain out of reach,” Olatunji cautioned.

He pointed to the Nigerian Data Protection Act as the legal foundation, ensuring rights for citizens, accountability for data controllers, and enforcement powers to safeguard trust.

Ending multiple data submissions

The NGDX rollout is expected to put an end to years of frustration for Nigerians who have been forced to repeatedly submit personal data across multiple agencies — from NIN registration to driver’s licenses, BVN, SIM card registration, and international passport applications.

NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, had earlier explained that NGDX will serve as a unified and secure data exchange system for government institutions. This means citizens will no longer have to repeatedly hand over the same personal data. Instead, authorised agencies will be able to seamlessly verify and share records on the back end.

Stakeholder buy-in

The review session attracted ICT commissioners from various states, representatives of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), as well as private sector players, underlining the scale of coordination required to make DPI and NGDX work nationwide.

For the government, the goal is not only to streamline service delivery but also to stimulate financial inclusion, innovation, and growth in the digital economy. With foundational elements ready by the end of 2025 and deployment beginning in 2026, Nigeria is positioning itself to move past its fragmented data management era and embrace a more integrated, citizen-friendly digital future.