The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has officially released the Draft Technical Standards for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), marking a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward digital transformation.
In a statement issued by the agency, Nigerians have been invited to study the document and submit feedback by May 8, 2025, as part of a broader consultation process designed to strengthen Nigeria’s evolving digital ecosystem.
The move comes just weeks after the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy launched Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure Framework on March 4, 2025. That framework laid the foundation for a unified approach to public service reform, emphasizing interoperability, inclusion, and digital efficiency across all levels of government.
Register for Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 17 (June 9 – Sept 6, 2025) today for early bird discounts. Do annual for access to Blucera.com.
Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and co-invest in great global startups.
Register to become a better CEO or Director with Tekedia CEO & Director Program.
NITDA said the draft technical standards are aimed at harmonizing how public infrastructure is developed, integrated, and maintained. They are expected to set the tone for how the Nigerian government deploys critical digital components such as identity systems, digital payments, and data exchange platforms. The standards also spell out the technical and governance requirements to ensure consistency, cybersecurity, and operational effectiveness of digital platforms across ministries, departments, and agencies.
Central to the strategy is the establishment of the Nigerian Digital Public Infrastructure Centre (Ng-DPIC), which will serve as the implementation arm of the initiative. The Centre, according to NITDA, will coordinate research, development, and capacity-building efforts, and function as the national hub for testing, integration, and scaling of DPI tools. Its mandate includes overseeing collaboration between government agencies, academia, and the private sector in deploying citizen-focused digital services.
The draft standards underscore the need for robust collaboration between public institutions and the private sector in developing what NITDA refers to as Digital Public Goods—open and accessible digital tools that can be adapted to provide inclusive services at scale. These standards are expected to eliminate siloed development and promote seamless interaction between platforms by focusing on interoperability. They are designed to encourage scalability, ensure system resilience, and introduce performance benchmarks for evaluating digital systems.
NITDA’s draft also stresses the importance of safeguarding citizen data and promoting platforms that comply with both Nigerian laws and international privacy standards. The standards advocate for the creation of inclusive and user-friendly platforms, ensuring they can be accessed by all demographics, including people with disabilities, those in rural areas, and other marginalized groups.
In addition, the framework lays out clear guidelines for governance and accountability. It defines regulatory expectations and aims to ensure transparency in the deployment and management of digital infrastructure. Part of the strategy is to encourage innovation by supporting the use of open-source technology and encouraging local developers to participate in building public-facing digital solutions.
To ensure quality and reliability, the standards provide a detailed approach to system testing and performance validation, which will be administered and overseen by the Ng-DPIC once it becomes operational. This will include methods for collecting and incorporating user feedback into system updates, allowing for a more adaptive, people-centered service design.
NITDA explained that the draft is the product of extensive consultation with local stakeholders and international partners. The agency said it studied best practices from leading countries that have implemented DPI frameworks and incorporated lessons tailored to Nigeria’s unique socioeconomic landscape. The standards, it noted, are not just aspirational but are meant to be pragmatic, enforceable, and responsive to the country’s developmental needs.
“This document aligns with global best practices and Nigeria’s ambition to harness digital technologies for inclusive national development,” the agency stated.
NITDA called on individuals, businesses, academia, civil society groups, and public institutions to download the document from its website and submit written comments to [email protected] before the consultation closes.
Industry experts have noted that if successfully implemented, the draft standards could position Nigeria as a regional leader in digital governance and e-service delivery. With a rising demand for transparency, faster service delivery, and stronger digital infrastructure, the framework offers the potential to unlock economic opportunities and improve public trust in government services.
Digital policy analysts have warned, however, that implementation will require sustained political will and adequate funding. They also pointed to past failures in harmonizing digital efforts across agencies as a cautionary tale. Nonetheless, the establishment of Ng-DPIC is seen as a potential game-changer in coordinating the country’s digital development efforts under a single, accountable entity.
Nigeria’s move to formalize standards for digital infrastructure comes at a critical time, as many countries are beginning to recognize DPI as an essential pillar of modern governance. Experts believe that building a national digital backbone is as critical as investing in roads, electricity, or education—especially in an era where access to digital identity and online payments determines access to services, welfare, and financial inclusivity.