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.

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 regulations@nitda.gov.ng 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.

The White House has outlined exemptions to recent tariffs to address trade imbalances. Goods exempt from the 10% baseline and higher reciprocal tariffs include: Electronics, Smartphones, computers, semiconductors, modems, routers, flash drives, and flat panel displays, as these are critical technologies largely not produced domestically. Copper, certain critical minerals (e.g., cobalt, nickel), and bullion, reflecting U.S. reliance on foreign sources for manufacturing and defense. Drugs and dietary ingredients like vitamins (A, B1, B2, B5, B6, B9, B12, C, E), amino acids, coenzyme Q10, and choline to maintain healthcare supply chains.

Lumber: To support domestic construction without added costs. Exempt or subject to lower tariffs (e.g., 10% for Canadian energy) to ensure stable supply. Goods from Canada and Mexico meeting United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement rules remain tariff-free, while non-compliant goods face up to 25%. Books and similar items, as required under the tenements of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Section 232 Goods: Steel, aluminum, autos, and auto parts already under existing tariffs. These exemptions, detailed in Executive Order 14257 and subsequent memos, aim to balance economic security with supply chain needs. A 90-day pause on country-specific tariffs (except for China, now at 145%) was announced on April 10, 2025, maintaining the 10% baseline for most nations.

Exempting electronics, pharmaceuticals, and lumber helps shield consumers from price hikes on everyday goods, stabilizing inflation risks in these sectors. Exemptions for critical minerals, metals, and energy ensure industries like tech, defense, and manufacturing avoid disruptions, maintaining production capacity. While the 10% baseline tariff aims to reduce trade deficits, exemptions for USMCA-compliant goods and key imports may limit the impact on North American trade flows, preserving regional integration.

Exemptions could undercut domestic producers of similar goods (e.g., lumber, metals), potentially slowing efforts to boost local manufacturing. Exemptions soften the blow of tariffs on voters reliant on affordable tech and healthcare, potentially bolstering public support for the administration’s trade agenda. The 90-day pause on country-specific tariffs (except China) and lower tariffs on Canadian energy signal a conciliatory approach to allies, reducing friction with nations like Canada and Mexico.

Exemptions may draw backlash from protectionist factions or industries expecting broader tariff coverage, creating political tension within the administration’s base. The 145% tariff on China underscores a hardline stance, aiming to curb reliance on Chinese goods but risking retaliation that could disrupt global supply chains. Exempting critical minerals and semiconductors reflects prioritization of defense and tech resilience, reducing vulnerabilities in strategic sectors.

The exemptions and pause suggest a balancing act—pressuring trading partners while avoiding a full-scale trade war, though prolonged uncertainty could dampen global investment. Exemptions may weaken the leverage of tariffs if trading partners exploit them to delay negotiations. Industries expecting protection (e.g., steel, beyond Section 232) may face competitive pressure, slowing reshoring efforts.  Retaliatory tariffs from non-exempt nations could hit U.S. exports like agriculture or services, offsetting economic gains. These implications hinge on implementation and global reactions. Monitor trade data and diplomatic developments for real-time shifts.

By excluding electronics (e.g., smartphones, computers), pharmaceuticals (e.g., drugs, vitamins), and lumber from the 10% baseline and higher tariffs, the exemptions prevent cost increases for these widely used goods. This helps stabilize consumer prices in tech, healthcare, and housing sectors, which are significant components of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Exemptions for critical minerals, metals (e.g., copper), and energy ensure steady input costs for manufacturing and utilities, reducing the risk of price spikes in downstream products like vehicles or electricity.

Tariff-free access for compliant goods from Canada and Mexico maintains affordable imports, particularly in food, auto parts, and energy, curbing potential price hikes in these categories. The 10% baseline tariff on non-exempt imports and 145% on China could raise costs for goods like apparel, toys, or non-exempt machinery. If retailers pass these costs to consumers, it could nudge CPI upward, though the exempted categories limit the scope. Trading partners may impose counter-tariffs on U.S. exports e.g., agriculture, whiskey, raising domestic prices indirectly by squeezing farmers and producers who rely on export markets.

The 90-day tariff pause (except for China) creates uncertainty, potentially leading businesses to preemptively raise prices or hoard supplies, which could add mild inflationary pressure. Short-term inflation is likely to remain stable due to exemptions covering high-impact consumer goods and inputs. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests electronics and pharmaceuticals alone account for roughly 10-12% of CPI weighting, so shielding these is significant.

However, if non-exempt tariffs significantly disrupt trade or provoke retaliation, core inflation (excluding food and energy) could rise by 0.2-0.5% over 6-12 months, based on historical tariff studies (e.g., 2018 trade war impacts). Energy exemptions, especially for Canada, help cap fuel and utility costs, a key inflation driver when global oil markets are volatile. For precise impacts, track monthly CPI reports from BLS and trade flow data from the Commerce Department, as real-world effects will clarify over Q2 2025.