ABUJA – The Federal Government of Nigeria, in a landmark partnership with the European Union (EU), has launched a strategic initiative to create a secure and unified Nigeria Data Exchange Platform (NGDX). The collaboration, which includes key Team Europe partners like Estonia, Finland, Germany, and France, aims to streamline digital public services and eliminate the longstanding issue of citizens repeatedly submitting the same personal information to different government and private institutions.
The announcement was made at a recent Data Exchange Conference in Abuja, where officials from both sides emphasized the project’s transformative potential for Nigeria’s digital economy. The NGDX is designed to be the third pillar of Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), complementing the existing National Identity and National Payments systems.A €18 Million Commitment to Secure DataAs a show of its commitment, the EU has approved a grant of €18 million to support the rollout of the DPI in Nigeria, with a focus on the NGDX.
This funding is part of a larger €820 million EU–Nigeria Digital Economy package under the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy, which aims to foster secure and trusted digital solutions between Europe and Africa.The initiative will ensure that once a citizen’s data, such as their National Identification Number (NIN) or Bank Verification Number (BVN), is verified by one authorized agency, other government and private sector entities can access and verify it securely and seamlessly.
This is expected to significantly reduce administrative bottlenecks, save time and money for citizens and businesses, and improve the overall efficiency of public service delivery.Focus on Privacy and InnovationA core component of the NGDX is its adherence to global data protection standards.
According to the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, the platform will be governed by the Nigeria Data Protection Act of 2023, which enshrines the right to privacy and establishes a legal framework for data security. This ensures that the platform is not only efficient but also trustworthy, with strong measures to safeguard citizens’ privacy and accountability.
The partnership also aims to spur innovation in the private sector. By enabling the secure use of anonymized public data, the NGDX is expected to create new opportunities for startups and enterprises to develop solutions in crucial sectors like fintech, healthcare, agriculture, and education.
The Federal Government has committed to delivering a functional national data exchange by the end of 2025, a key objective under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. With the backing of the EU and its partners, the NGDX represents a major step toward building a more connected, efficient, and data-driven Nigeria.
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