Developing the Nigeria Data Exchange Service (NG0045)

Thematic Area: Digital Governance

Commitment A multi-sectoral approach to the end-to-end development of the Nigerian Data Exchange Service. The multi- sectoral approach will include government MDAs, businesses, the private sector, civil society, research, the academic community, citizens, and the technical community to address censorship issues and ensure respect and protection of digital rights.

Brief Description of Commitment: A multi-sectoral approach to the end-to-end development of the Nigeria Data Exchange platform/service, designed to bring all affected and relevant actors into the process from the start through implementation and ongoing improvement. This approach will deliberately include government MDAs alongside the private sector, civil society, research and the academic communities, citizens, and the technical community. Their participation should be active and continuous across the full lifecycle of the service so that decisions, design choices, implementation steps, and governance arrangements are informed by multiple points of view. By doing this, the development process can directly address censorship issues as they arise, reduce the risk of exclusion, guard against unilateral control, and make respect for digital rights a central requirement of how the service is built and governed.

General Problem: The Nigerian Data Exchange platform lacks adequate safeguards against censorship, arbitrary decision-making, and digital rights violations. This governance gap exists because the platform is being developed without meaningful participation from civil society, technology experts, user communities, and other key stakeholders. Specific OGP Digital Governance Issue(s) in Focus: Rationale for An end-to-end, multi-sectoral approach is needed so that government and non-government stakeholders jointly the shape the Nigerian Data Exchange platform/service, tackle censorship issues early and continuously, and ensure Commitment: the service respects and protects digital rights across the governance system. Main Objective: To develop the Nigeria Data Exchange platform/service through a multi-sectoral, end-to-end process that includes government MDAs, the private sector, civil society, research and academic communities, citizens, and the technical community, in order to address censorship issues, arbitrary decisions, and ensure respect and protection of digital rights Anticipated A Nigerian Data Exchange platform/service developed with broad multi-sectoral input, with censorship issues, Impact: arbitrary decisions addressed and digital rights respected and protected throughout the service's development and implementation

Expected Outcomes
1. A functioning multi-sectoral approach is established for the end-to-end development of the Nigerian Data Exchange platform/service
• A multi-sectoral working structure is created that includes government MDAs, businesses, the private sector, civil society, research, the academic community, citizens, and the technical community
• Clear roles and participation pathways for each stakeholder group are agreed and documented
• Regular multi-sectoral meetings or forums are held throughout the service lifecycle (design, build, implementation, improvement)

2. Stakeholders across sectors actively participate in shaping the Nigerian Data Exchange platform/service from start to implementation.
• Evidence of stakeholder participation at key stages of development (co-design sessions, consultations, reviews)
• Participation records show representation from all listed groups across the process
• Stakeholder inputs are formally captured and reflected in development decisions

3. Censorship issues are identified, addressed, and reduced through multi-sectoral oversight
• A defined process exists for raising, reviewing, and resolving censorship-related concerns during development and implementation
• Censorship issues and arbitrary decision-making that are reported by stakeholders are logged and tracked to resolution
• Periodic reviews show how censorship risks and proclivity for arbitrary decisions are being mitigated in the service.

4. Respect for digital rights is embedded as a core requirement in the Nigerian Data Exchange platform/service's design and governance
• Digital rights considerations are included in service requirements, design standards, and governance rules
• Multi-sectoral reviews explicitly assess the service against digital rights expectations
• Public-facing documentation explains how the service ensures respect for digital rights
• Civil society organisations and the National Human Rights Commission review the implementation process for human rights compliance

5. The Nigerian Data Exchange platform/service is developed and governed transparently with sustained multi-sectoral input
• Key development and governance updates are openly shared with stakeholders and the public
• A feedback loop is in place so citizens and other stakeholders can continue to engage after implementation
• Ongoing multi-sectoral participation is maintained for updates and improvements to the service

Planned Activities
1. Establish a multi-sectoral governance/steering group for the Nigerian Data Exchange platform/service
Start Date: Jan 2026 End Date: Jun 2026
Expected Output(s):
• A formally constituted multi-sectoral group that brings together government MDAs, the private sector, civil society, research and academic communities, citizens, and the technical community
• Terms of reference that define scope, roles, and decision-making across the end-to-end development of NGDX.
Output Indicator(s):
• Multi-sectoral governance/steering group established
• Governance/steering group TOR/charter completed and adopted
• Number of Governance/steering group meetings held.

2. Conduct inclusive co-design and consultation sessions across the full service lifecycle (design, build, implementation, improvement)
Start Date: Apr 2026 End Date: Dec 2028
Expected Output(s):
• Co-design/consultation reports with stakeholder inputs for each stage
• Agreed design and implementation priorities reflecting multi-sectoral perspectives
Output Indicator(s):
• Number of co-design/consultation sessions held per lifecycle stage
• Development of requirement gathering document
• Number of stakeholders engaged in co-design/consultation sessions.
• Number of input log received.
• Number of decision notes made

3. Develop and integrate a process to identify, raise, review, and resolve censorship issues during development and implementation
Develop and integrate a process to identify, raise, review, and resolve areas where arbitrary decisions are likely
Start Date: Jul 2026 End Date: Dec 2028
Expected Output(s):
• A censorship-issues response workflow embedded in the service development process
• A live issue-tracking register for censorship concerns
• Ensure that decision-making is subject to oversight mechanisms
Output Indicator(s):
• Workflow document approved by the multi-sectoral group
• Censorship issue register created and regularly updated
• Proportion of logged censorship issues reviewed and resolved within agreed timelines

4. Embed digital rights requirements into the service's technical design and governance rules
Start Date: Jan 2027 End Date: Jun 2028
Expected Output(s):
• Digital rights checklist/standards for the Nigerian Data Exchange platform/service
• Revised technical and governance documentation reflecting digital rights safeguards
Output Indicator(s):
• Digital rights standards/checklist endorsed by stakeholders
• Number of design/governance documents updated to include digital rights

5. Maintain transparency and continuous stakeholder engagement through public updates and feedback channels
Start Date: Jan 2027 End Date: Dec 2029
Expected Output(s):
• Public-facing progress updates on end-to-end development
• Ongoing feedback mechanism for citizens and stakeholders after implementation
Output Indicator(s):
• Quarterly briefs and summaries of meetings are updated and published.
• Number of feedback items received.
• Number of feedback responses.