Reform Description

In advancing ethical, responsible, inclusive, and participatory digital transformation in Nigeria, this commitment will implement five strategic actions aimed at creating a transparent, citizen-centric digital governance structure. 

First, the reform will strengthen Nigeria’s digital governance policy and legal frameworks to ensure digital technology applications align with fundamental human rights, protect data privacy, and foster digital inclusion. This includes updating and strengthening the enforcement of existing digital frameworks like the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Act, 2024, the National AI Strategy, and the Nigeria Data Protection Act.

Second, the reform will strengthen inclusive access to digital infrastructure and services, particularly among vulnerable groups, women, the underserved, and rural communities. This will involve the promotion of Nigeria data stack, strategic public-private partnerships, and community-centered design of digital solutions and e-government services.

Third, the reform will establish a multi-stakeholder, inclusive coordination mechanism for digital transformation, which will operate independently from the government but work collaboratively with public institutions. This body will comprise relevant stakeholders, including civil society organisations, academia, technology experts, youth groups, and community leaders, and serve as a central platform to facilitate citizen engagement, provide oversight to the implementation of digital initiatives, and promote cross-sectoral transparency and accountability. 

Fourth, the action will develop and institutionalise national data governance frameworks and guidelines to ensure the ethical, safe, and secure use and exchange of data across sectors. These guidelines will set standards for data sharing, protection, usage, and governance in both the public and private sectors. 

Collectively, these actions are designed to institutionalise responsible digital practices, expand inclusive access, and position citizens as active participants in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.

Problem(s) Addressed by Reform

As Nigeria continues to build its e-governance systems, emerging ethical and human rights concerns, including issues such as data privacy, AI bias, human rights abuse, digital divide, and low civil society involvement in the development and deployment of digital technologies for service delivery, persist. Hence, this reform aims to address challenges that hinder Nigeria’s ability to establish an open and citizen-centered digital society. Nigeria has recorded a significant increase in internet penetration over the years, with a penetration rate presently at 55% as of 2024, making the number of internet users to 123 million. This means that there is an increase in the number of its citizens using the internet. Also, with the launch of the E-government Master Plan in 2019, which plans to digitise all government services and the President’s directive to digitise 75% of government services by 2027, Nigeria’s digital ecosystem is rapidly evolving. As part of the digital transformation efforts, NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 1.0, 2021 - 2024, established over 683 digital infrastructure and implemented policies for mainstream digital adoption. Key initiatives like the National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA) engaged 965 farmers and created over 5,000 jobs, promoting technology use in agriculture. 

The rapid pace of digitisation means that individuals who lack digital literacy or live in areas with poor digital infrastructure risk being excluded from efficient service delivery, further deepening existing inequalities. Additionally, the expansion of e-services has increased government access to citizens’ data, raising concerns about potential misuse and exploitation. Currently, the various frameworks and initiatives designed to address these issues operate in a fragmented and siloed manner, with little to no transparency regarding their enforcement and effectiveness.
Also, Nigeria lacks an inclusive and independent coordination mechanism to oversee digital transformation efforts. This has led to fragmented initiatives, duplication of effort, poor stakeholder engagement, and limited citizen voice in shaping digital priorities. Without a coordinated approach, digital investments fail to deliver their full democratic or developmental potential. 

Lastly, Nigeria has yet to develop a unified national policy on the safe, secure, and responsible adoption of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, and IoT. As these technologies are deployed rapidly, the lack of a guiding framework raises risks of digital harm, surveillance abuse, algorithmic bias, and exclusion. By tackling these specific challenges, the reform aims to build a digital ecosystem that is inclusive, rights-based, and fit for Nigeria’s democratic and development goals.

This reform will mark a transformative shift from fragmented digital interventions to a strategic, inclusive, and ethically grounded national approach. By strengthening the legal and policy implementation frameworks, the reform will help enforce compliance with existing digital laws and policies, closing the gap between policy and practice. Updated legal frameworks and better enforcement mechanisms will offer citizens greater access, data protection, and build trust in the government's use of digital technologies.

Promoting inclusive access to digital infrastructure and services ensures that digital governance does not become a tool of exclusion. By directly targeting marginalised populations, including women, persons with disability, and other vulnerable groups with inclusive design and access measures, the reform empowers more Nigerians to benefit from and contribute to digital transformation. 

The establishment of an independent, multi-stakeholder coordination mechanism represents a new model of participatory, transparent, and accountable governance in digital transformation. It ensures that civil society, the private sector, technical experts, academia, and citizens have a representation at the decision-making table where policies and actions on Nigeria’s digital transition are made. This institutionalised collaboration strengthens transparency, inclusivity, and citizen voice in digital governance processes.

Additionally, the development of a national policy on safe and responsible digital technology use addresses the urgent need for a coherent response to the risks of full digitisation of services and use of emerging technologies. Together, these actions do not just address Nigeria’s digital governance challenges, they provide the structural and institutional solutions needed for long-term reform.

Relevance to OGP Values

This reform is deeply rooted in the open government values of transparency, accountability, and civic participation. By establishing an independent, multi-stakeholder coordination mechanism, this reform creates a direct institutional pathway for civic participation in digital governance. It empowers citizens, civil society organisations, academia, and the private sector to shape policies, monitor implementation, and hold duty-bearers accountable.
The reform also advances transparency by promoting open and responsible data practices. The development of national data governance frameworks will ensure that public data is collected, stored, and shared transparently, with clear guidelines on access, security, consent, and use. This empowers citizens with information while protecting their rights. By strengthening legal and policy enforcement mechanisms, the reform reinforces public accountability. Clear, enforceable rules increase the cost of government malpractice in digital deployment and create avenues for redress. Citizens and oversight institutions will be better positioned to demand and obtain accountability where digital rights are violated.
Inclusivity is central to this commitment. Ensuring equitable access to digital infrastructure and services enables marginalised voices, especially from rural communities, women, and people with disabilities, to fully participate in digital transformation. Ultimately, this reform bridges digital transformation and democratic governance. It ensures that technology serves as a tool for deepening democratic values, not undermining them.

Intended Results

By the end of the implementation period in 2027, this reform aims to achieve the following key results:
A Strengthened Policy and Legal Framework for Digital Governance: Updated and enforced digital policies and laws that align with global standards for privacy, digital rights, and innovation governance.

Established National Multi-Stakeholder Coordination Mechanism: A functioning, inclusive, and independent body that brings together government, civil society, private sector, academia, and technical communities to oversee and shape Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Expanded and Equitable Access to Digital Infrastructure and Services: Tangible improvements in internet access, digital literacy, and access to e-services in marginalised communities, especially in rural and underserved regions.

National Policy on Ethical, Safe and Responsible Use of Digital Technologies: A policy framework developed and adopted to guide government and non-state actors in the use of emerging technologies, ensuring they align with human rights and social equity objectives.
Increased Public Trust in Digital Governance: Enhanced transparency and participation mechanisms leading to greater citizen confidence in digital services and public technology use.

These outcomes will not only improve digital governance but will also deepen democratic engagement and socioeconomic inclusion through technology.

Milestones

By Q1 2025 - Q3 2026: Establish a National Multi-Stakeholder Coordination Mechanism to guide Nigeria’s digital governance. This inclusive body will bring together key actors from government, civil society, academia, the private sector, and the technical community to oversee the implementation and accountability of Nigeria’s digital transformation.

From Q2 to Q4 2025: Conduct nationwide public consultations on the Policy on the Ethical, Safe, and Responsible Use of Digital Technologies.
By Q3 2026: Finalise and adopt the National Policy on the Ethical, Safe, and Responsible Use of Digital Technologies, with implementation guidelines for both state and non-state actors on emerging technologies including AI, IoT, and blockchain.

Throughout 2026: Launch a national digital trust campaign to raise awareness on data protection, digital rights, and the availability of public e-services, while fostering citizen confidence in digital governance.

By Q2 2027: Review and update key legal and policy instruments supporting digital governance, including refining implementation structures and enforcement mechanisms in line with evolving global standards.

By Q3 2027: Conduct a national trust and transparency assessment, evaluating citizen satisfaction with digital public services, participation mechanisms, and confidence in government use of technology.

Is Civil Society Involved?

Civil society is central to both shaping and implementing this reform. From inception, civil society organisations (CSOs) such as like Dataphyte, and those working on digital rights, civic technology, open data, youth engagement, and gender inclusion, will be engaged through co-creation workshops and stakeholder mapping processes. Their inputs will help define reform priorities, outcomes, and accountability mechanisms.
As the government co-chair of the Technology and Innovation Working Group in Nigeria’s OGP, NITDA will leverage civil society networks within the Innovation and Technology Thematic Working Group to identify and collaborate with CSOs during the implementation of this reform.
CSOs will have clear and specific roles within the independent multi-stakeholder coordination mechanism, ensuring inclusive oversight, evidence-based decision-making, and citizen engagement. They will co-lead public consultations, participate in technical drafting of frameworks (such as the national policy on ethical and responsible digital technology use), and monitor implementation milestones.

Furthermore, CSOs will help anchor digital literacy, rights awareness, and inclusion programs, especially in rural and marginalised communities.
Civil society will also support independent monitoring and evaluation through scorecards, public policy briefs, and citizen report cards. Their watchdog role will ensure accountability, while their participation in knowledge dissemination and capacity building will help institutionalize reform sustainability.