The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has released a draft of the Technical Standards for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
The IT agency is also inviting feedback from stakeholders to help refine and strengthen the regulations for effective implementation.
Digital Public Infrastructure refers to core digital systems that enable governments to deliver social services and economic opportunities securely, efficiently, and inclusively.
In a statement issued Friday in Abuja, Hadiza Umar, NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations, emphasized the agency’s call for public engagement in the process.
Umar stated that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to building a secure, inclusive digital ecosystem that drives economic development and transforms public service delivery.
She recalled that on March 4, the government launched the DPI framework, designed to enhance public service delivery through a whole-of-government approach. The framework also opens doors for the private sector to contribute by designing and delivering cross-cutting services that improve citizen access and quality of life.
A key part of the framework is the creation of the Nigerian Digital Public Infrastructure Centre (Ng-DPIC), which will serve as the central hub for managing, researching, and educating stakeholders on DPI development in the country.
Umar noted that the draft Technical Standards provide a systematic blueprint for building and implementing DPI in Nigeria.
She explained, “The draft defines essential technical requirements and proven techniques to ensure interoperability, security, and efficiency across digital services. By establishing clear guidelines, these standards will support the seamless integration of DPI components, fostering a secure, scalable, and resilient digital ecosystem in Nigeria.”
According to Umar, public input is essential in shaping responsive, effective regulations, and stakeholders are encouraged to carefully review the draft and share their insights.
The draft further outlines integration strategies for sector-specific DPIs, such as digital ID systems, payment platforms, and data exchange frameworks. It sets out protocols for cybersecurity, data protection, and the collaborative involvement of both public and private sector actors in creating digital public goods.
She added that the draft was developed through rigorous research and broad stakeholder engagement, and aligns with international best practices. It reflects the government’s broader vision of leveraging technology to meet national development goals and improve the lives of all Nigerians.
Some of the key objectives of the draft include enabling interoperability among government platforms, strengthening data privacy and security, and promoting digital access and usability. Interoperability, in this context, refers to the seamless interaction between software systems, applications, and devices without requiring extra effort from users.
Additional goals include setting performance benchmarks, improving governance and regulatory compliance, and fostering innovation.
The draft DPI standards are currently available for review, and feedback can be submitted via email to [email protected]. Umar assured that all responses would be thoughtfully considered before finalizing the regulations.