The Federal Government has renewed its push for a functional e-governance system, setting a target to digitize 75% of government services by 2027.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is spearheading this effort through a one-stop-shop digital platform that will integrate various public services, including license renewals, passport applications, tax payments, and healthcare services.
The agency’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, disclosed this during a meeting with representatives of the Ukrainian Embassy in Nigeria, emphasizing that the project will dismantle the current fragmented approach to government service delivery.
To achieve this, NITDA is studying successful digital governance models from countries like the United Kingdom and Kenya. The UK’s digital transformation has resulted in integrated platforms for tax filing and passport applications, while Kenya’s e-government framework has streamlined public service access. Inuwa noted that although these models are not entirely transferable, Nigeria can adapt key lessons to suit its local realities.
He stressed that a legal framework must be in place to enable a seamless transition, urging relevant stakeholders to prioritize necessary legislative support.
In a related development, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has announced plans to digitize all 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) by 2027. The initiative aims to extend reliable internet connectivity to local government offices, ensuring efficient delivery of critical services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development.
The Minister highlighted that this move would promote inclusive digital transformation and bridge the technological gap between urban and rural areas.
However, Nigeria’s previous attempts at e-governance have been fraught with challenges. The 2019 e-Government Masterplan and the OneGov.net initiative failed to gain traction due to technical limitations, poor infrastructure, and a lack of regulatory consistency. Connectivity remains a significant hurdle, with broadband penetration at 44.43% as of December 2024, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Industry experts argue that without adequate rural internet access, millions of Nigerians may be excluded from the benefits of digital governance.
Despite these setbacks, stakeholders remain optimistic that Nigeria’s National Fibre Project, which aims to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables nationwide, will provide the backbone infrastructure needed to support e-governance. Experts, including Galaxy Backbone’s Managing Director, Professor Ibrahim Adepoju, have emphasized the need for increased collaboration across sectors. Meanwhile, the NCC is focusing on indigenous content development and telecom infrastructure expansion. Analysts believe that for the initiative to succeed, state and local governments must fully adopt and integrate into the federal government’s digital vision.