In a landmark move on 27 May 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inaugurated the Presidential Committee on the Implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
Chaired by Mr President himself, the committee comprises top-flight officials—including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Heads of NIMC and NITDA, Ministers of Finance, Communications, Interior and Budget & National Planning, as well as the Attorney-General—tasked with orchestrating a legally compliant, robust rollout of DPI across Nigeria.
DPI: The Engine Room for Nigeria’s Digital Renaissance?
The committee’s mandate centres on three core pillars:
- Digital Identity (streamlined by NIMC)
- Financial Payments (co-ordinated by NIBSS)
- Data Exchange (under NITDA’s purview)
Speaking on behalf of SGF Sen. George Akume, Minister Bosun Tijani extolled DPI as the “key to unlocking new avenues for growth, creating jobs, improving public service delivery, and empowering our citizens”.
Furthermore, Akume stressed the need for a “well-coordinated and robust governance structure” to drive implementation, foreshadowing an all-of-government approach unprecedented in Nigeria’s digital policy history.
A Critical Eye on Governance and Coordination
While presenting a united front, the inauguration raises pressing questions:
Overlapping Mandates: With NIMC handling identity, NIBSS overseeing payments, and NITDA mandated to unify data, how will turf wars be averted? Historically, inter-agency rivalries have stalled critical projects (see SERVICOM reforms).
Strategic Direction: Can this committee translate high-level directives into watertight regulations and standards, or will its work be confined to policy briefs and show-piece events?
Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote of NIMC vowed to “advance economic growth, enhance citizen engagement and improve overall quality of life through DPI”, offering full cooperation on the “noble endeavour”.
Yet, without clear key performance indicators (KPIs) and transparent reporting mechanisms, such pledges may amount to little more than rhetoric.
Sensational Promises vs. Ground Realities
Dr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi of NITDA underscored the importance of unified government databases, painting a picture of seamless data exchange that would transform how Nigerians access government services. But critics point to:
Digital Divide: Over 50% of the population still lack reliable internet access outside urban centres. How will rural communities be integrated into this digital utopia?
Data Privacy: A cohesive database elevates the stakes for data breaches. Nigeria’s Data Protection Act (2019) needs rigorous enforcement, yet enforcement bodies remain under-funded and understaffed.
Premier Oiwoh of NIBSS highlighted ongoing efforts to link National Identity Numbers (NIN) with Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) for more secure transactions, suggesting that “collaborative efforts in solving local challenges” are already under way.
However, the success of this integration hinges on seamless coordination, robust cybersecurity protocols and public trust—all elements historically in short supply.
The Political Economy of DPI
By personally chairing the committee, President Tinubu signals DPI as a cornerstone of his administration’s legacy. Yet:
Budgetary Constraints: Against a backdrop of mounting debt and austerity measures, will budget allocations match the committee’s ambitions?
Private Sector Engagement: The heavy-lifting will require public-private partnerships. Will Nigeria’s telecoms giants and fintech innovators be invited to the table, or boxed out by political interests?
Answers to these questions will determine whether DPI becomes Nigeria’s digital springboard or another white-elephant project.
Conclusion: A Make-or-Break Moment
The inauguration of the Presidential Committee on DPI marks a watershed in Nigeria’s digital journey. With President Tinubu at the helm, the project enjoys political imprimatur, but ambition is not execution.
As the committee embarks on its mandate, Nigerians and international partners alike will watch keenly: will DPI catalyse economic transformation, or will it unravel amid bureaucratic inertia and funding shortfalls?
Only transparent governance, measurable targets and inclusive stakeholder engagement will ensure this bold initiative fulfils its promise to “unlock new avenues for growth” and “empower our citizens”.
Additional reporting from Taiwo Adebowale and Peter Jene
