Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) have deepened their partnership to accelerate the country’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), a move aimed at strengthening digital identity systems, cybersecurity and the delivery of government services to more than 200 million citizens.
The agreement emerged from a strategic meeting at NITDA headquarters following the enactment of the NIMC Act 2026, a landmark law that replaces the commission’s 2007 legal framework and establishes NIMC as Nigeria’s foundational digital identity authority and national trust anchor.
Speaking at the meeting, NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi congratulated NIMC on the new legislation and reaffirmed his agency’s commitment to supporting its implementation. He announced that NITDA would transfer its existing Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to NIMC, a key step toward creating a unified legal and operational framework for Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure.
According to Inuwa, the partnership is designed to transform digital policy into practical solutions that deliver secure, efficient and citizen-centred services.
The two agencies also agreed to collaborate on NIMC’s planned nationwide enrolment campaign, which aims to expand digital identity registration across all 8,809 wards in the country. NITDA will provide technical expertise and strategic support to help drive the initiative.
The discussions further focused on strengthening cybersecurity, improving data-sharing mechanisms and harmonising digital trust standards, measures considered critical to supporting Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
Digital Public Infrastructure has become a global development priority, with governments increasingly investing in secure digital identity systems to improve public services, expand financial inclusion and enable trusted digital transactions. Nigeria’s efforts align with broader international initiatives aimed at using technology to improve governance and economic participation.
Officials said the collaboration is expected to enhance national data security, improve the efficiency of public service delivery and support the government’s vision of one person, one identity, one number.
The meeting concluded with a tour of NITDA’s innovation facilities, including its Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT) Unit and the Idea2Impact Innovation Space, highlighting both agencies’ commitment to translating policy reforms into tangible outcomes for citizens and businesses.
