E-Government Development in Nigeria

Nigeria has made significant strides in advancing e-governance. In July 2024, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Nigerian President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Hassan Ibrahim Hadejia, representing the federal government, declared the objective  to digitize 80% of its operations by 2025 as a part of a broader agenda to modernize the public sector. By 2027, the Nigerian government aims to fully digitalize the country’s 774 local governments, with NITDA being the primary driving force behind the e-government development. 

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria boasts the largest internet market in Africa, with over 142 million active internet subscribers as of early 2025. Its ICT sector contributed 11.3% to the national GDP in Q3 2024, growing at 14.5% year-on-year.

Hosting the 18th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV) in Abuja in November 2025 highlights Nigeria’s prominent role in digital governance and innovation on the continent. Organized by the United Nations University Operating Unit on Policy-Driven Electronic Governance (UNU-EGOV), ICEGOV 2025 will focus on “Shaping the Future of Digital Governance through Cooperation, Innovation, and Inclusion.”

The accelerated pace of digital development in Nigeria commenced at the onset of the 21st century. Prior to 1999, the availability of telecommunications infrastructure was inadequate relative to the nation’s expanding population. For instance, there were fewer than 400,000 fixed telephone lines and under 200,000 regular internet users. Broadcasting turned out to be the primary sector to be regulated, as in 1992, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) was established.

At that time, the ICT sector was governed by the Federal Ministry of Information and Communications established in 1999 during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo. This ministry was dissolved in 2007.

To establish a framework for the growth of the telecommunications sector, the Federal Government of Nigeria introduced the National Information Technology Policy (NITP) in 2000. The subsequent passage of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) in 2003 served to legally reinforce and operationalize the objectives outlined in the NTP. In 2004, the Federal Government of Nigeria established National eGovernment Strategies, commonly known as NeGSt. This government-mandated organization was created to operate and implement the Nigerian eGovernment programs under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. NeGSt was established as a joint venture comprising the government (5%), a consortium of banks (15%) and a strategic partner (80%).

Adoption of NITP laid the foundation for the establishment of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in 2001. In 2007, NITDA was granted with its legal mandate through the enactment of the National Information Technology Development Agency Act.

In 2011, the Federal Ministry of Communications Technology was established by former President Goodluck Jonathan. It was renamed the Ministry of Communications in 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari. In 2019, the entity was renamed the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy. The Ministry oversees the activities of key agencies such as Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NITDA, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), and Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT).

The National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) is a specialized agency under NITDA, established in 2020 to advance research, development, and practical application of emerging technologies. NCAIR operates from Abuja, co-located with the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI).

The Presidential Council on Digital Economy and E-Government was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022. The 27-member council is tasked with overseeing the implementation of Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda. Nevertheless, the Council is criticized for the lack of dedicated activities.

Over the past decade, Nigeria has collaborated with various international organizations and countries to develop and enhance its e-government services. Key contributors include South Korea, which has played a pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s e-government landscape over the past decade through a partnership over the development of the National e-Government Master Plan, as well as provision of USD 13 mln funding for development of the Government Service Portal and digital identity enrollment through expanded National Identification Number (NIN) centers.

Regarding European partners, in 2024, the UK and Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cyber Security Cooperation, establishing a framework for collaboration over three years (2024–2027).

In the 2024 United Nations E-Government Development Index (EGDI), Nigeria ranked 144th out of 193 countries, a slight decrease from its 140th position in 2022. Despite that fact, Nigeria’s EGDI score improved from 0.45 to 0.48, placing it within the Middle EGDI group, which includes countries with scores between 0.25 and 0.50. This indicates ongoing progress in digital government development, though challenges remain in areas such as infrastructure, human capital, and online service delivery.

Regionally, Nigeria’s EGDI score is above the African average of 0.43 but below the global average of 0.64, highlighting both its leadership role within the continent and the potential for further growth to align with global standards.

The decrease in the global ranking could be attributed to the changes in the UN E-Government Development Survey methodology, as several amendments were introduced. Online Service Index (OSI) was refined with updated indicators and an expanded set of questions (183 vs. 148 in 2020), while the Human Capital Index (HCI) was revised to include a fifth sub-component — E-Government Literacy. The Telecommunications Infrastructure Index (TII) replaced fixed broadband data with a new affordability indicator. The Local Online Service Index (LOSI) also expanded its indicators and added E-Government Literacy to assess digital inclusion. Additionally, the Member State Questionnaire (MSQ) emphasized alignment with SDGs, integration of emerging technologies like AI, and digital equity.

Cybersecurity/Cybercrime Law

Legal framework for addressing cybercrime and cybersecurity comprises the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015 and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act of 2024.

The 2015 Act was Nigeria’s first comprehensive legislation targeting cybercrime. It includes provisions on the prevention, detection, and prosecution of cybercrimes and protection of critical national information infrastructure. The Act criminalizes various cyber offenses such as hacking, identity theft, cyberstalking, phishing, and cyberterrorism. It also designates the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) as the coordinating body for cybersecurity enforcement in Nigeria. 

The 2024 Amendment Act introduced a 0.5% levy on electronic transactions to fund cybersecurity initiatives. Non-compliance may result in penalties, including fines of up to 2% of annual turnover and possible license revocation. The Act also mandates that service providers retain and protect user data in compliance with the Nigerian Data Protection Act, 2023, ensuring enhanced privacy and data security. Among other amendments is the requirement to create Sectoral Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) and Security Operations Centers (SOCs) to improve incident response and cybersecurity coordination. Above all, the Act imposes stricter penalties for cyber offenses, with fines reaching up to ₦7 million (~USD 4,000) and imprisonment terms extending up to 14 years for repeat offenders.

Data Privacy Law

In June 2023, Nigeria enacted the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) which applies to data controllers and processors operating within Nigeria or processing the personal data of Nigerian residents. It replaced the 2019 Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) and introduced the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to oversee enforcement and compliance. 

NDPA governs cross-border data transfers, allowing them only if the recipient jurisdiction ensures an adequate level of data protection. It also expands the definition of sensitive data to include genetic and biometric information and prohibits decisions based solely on automated processing. Furthermore, the NDPA requires mechanisms to verify a child’s age and consent, and mandates that data controllers and processors of major importance register with the NDPC within six months of the law’s enforcement or upon becoming subject to the Act. 

Nigeria does not impose a general data localization requirement but enforces sector-specific rules. In 2020, the Central Bank of Nigeria issued the Guidelines on Operations of Electronic Payment Channels which mandated that domestic electronic payment transactions be routed through a local switch. In 2019, NITDA required that sovereign data and subscriber/consumer data be hosted within Nigeria unless otherwise approved, as stated in the Guidelines for Nigerian Content Development in Information and Communications Technology. NITDA’s 2019 Cloud Computing Policy also recommends storing sensitive government, citizen, and national security data locally.

In March 2025, NDPC issued the General Application And Implementation Directive (GAID). The Directive applies to data subjects 1) within the Nigerian territory; 2) whose personal data has been transferred to Nigeria; 3) whose personal data is in transit through Nigeria; 4) Nigerian citizens residing outside the country. The NDPC assesses adequacy based on enforceable data subject rights, availability of judicial or administrative redress, existence of effective data protection laws, independent supervisory authorities, and international commitments.

E-Government Standards

In 2025, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) released draft Technical Standards for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), establishing a framework to ensure interoperability, data security, privacy, accessibility, performance, governance, and innovation across government digital platforms. A key feature is the Nigerian Digital Public Infrastructure Centre (Ng-DPIC), tasked with coordinating development and knowledge sharing to build a resilient, citizen-focused digital ecosystem. 

E-Government Interoperability Framework

In 2019, NITDA adopted the Nigeria e-Government Interoperability Framework (Ne-GIF) based on the principles of Information Technology Standardization, Process Integration and Efficient Public Service Delivery. In order to guarantee interoperability, open standards and metadata standards ought to be adopted. 

The technical standards and guidelines under Ne-GIF include the interoperability architecture domains (infrastructure, software, data exchange protocols, interfaces), data exchange and semantic interoperability (common data formats, open metadata standards, and shared vocabularies). The standards prescribe robust cybersecurity measures, data protection protocols, and privacy safeguards. Integration protocols for sector-specific systems such as digital identity, payment platforms, and data exchange frameworks are also in place. Database, operating system, network and hardware specifications are outlined as well. 

Electronic Signature

Nigeria recognizes electronic signatures as valid and binding for most transactions. The Evidence Act of 2011 defines electronic records and signatures as admissible evidence and valid for identifying signatories and indicating approval. 

AI Regulations

The Government of Nigeria is yet to adopt a specific law or regulation on AI. In 2024, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), a non-profit lawyers’ association, adopted the Guidelines for the use of Artificial Intelligence in the Legal Profession in Nigeria. The Guidelines apply to the use of AI in legal practice. 

Nigeria has developed a series of ICT and e-government policies and strategies over the years to enhance digital governance, infrastructure, and service delivery.

2001 – National Information Technology Policy (NITP)

NPIT was introduced in order to drive the development of IT in Nigeria, which led to the creation of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). 

2008 – ICT for development (ICT4D) Plan 

ICT4D Plan was elaborated by NITDA and was further used for the development of ICT section of Nigerian strategic Vision 20: 2020. The latter was adopted in 2009.

2012 – National ICT Policy

Among the Policy focus areas were:

• Amelioration of legal and regulatory frameworks, as the Policy outlined the fragmented policy landscape leading to inconsistencies and overlaps regarding ICT-related legislation. Policies’ revision and harmonization was among the key objectives;                                                                        
• ICT Infrastructure, with the strengthening the National ICT backbone and Broadband infrastructure, adoption of the national critical internet infrastructure ccTLD.ng, and connection of all Federal and State networks to a National fibre backbone being among the key targets;
• Internet and Broadband, with the vision to accelerate the penetration of affordable broadband Internet across the country. Provision of incentives to operators in order to grow their investments in broadband rollout and promotion of digital public services were listed among the strategies that could encourage broadband use; 
• Capacity Building, which was planned to be performed through introduction of ICT-related disciplines in the national education curriculum and provision of trainings for public sector employees; 

• Universal Access and Service, with the strategies for its achievement being the use of existing social infrastructure (post offices, schools, libraries) to ensure the citizens’ access to ICT services via the provision of computers, promotion the use of e-services nationwide, and integration of marginalized communities into digital community; 
• Transition from Analogue to Digital Broadcasting, as was prescribed by the ITU mandate (ought to be achieved until June 2015). Promotion of Community Broadcasting on affordable price, fostering the local manufacturing of set top boxes and introduction of a licensing regime for signal distribution were stated as the strategies to achieve this goal. 

2013 – National Broadband Plan (2013–2018)

The National Broadband Plan aimed to increase broadband penetration across Nigeria. The key objectives of the Plan included: 

• Elevation of broadband access from approximately 6% in 2013 to 30% by 2018, aiming for a fivefold increase in internet and broadband penetration figures;
• Achievement of  3G/LTE coverage for at least 80% of the population by 2018;
• Development of metro fiber networks in all major cities and state capitals, and extension of international cable landing points to additional coastal states to cover at least 70% of the population;
• Expanding the creation and use of local content;
• Connection of educational and healthcare institutions to broadband services.

2017 – Nigeria ICT Roadmap (2017-2020)

The Roadmap builded on four strategic pillars, namely governance, legal, policy and regulatory framework, industry and infrastructure, and capacity building. The focus areas of the Roadmap were as follows:

• Creation of 2 to 2.5 million ICT-related jobs; 
• 30% broadband penetration nationwide; 
• Use of ICT as a key driver in reducing reliance on oil revenues; 
• Updating existing policies and regulations to foster a conducive environment for ICT growth; 
• Capacity building through ICT education and training programs.

2019 – National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020–2030)

Among the Policy’s implementation highlights are the establishment of a Digital Nigeria Day, implementation of policy reforms with introduction of new regulations such as the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), and establishment of partnerships with international actors such as Microsoft and Google. 

2019 – Nigeria e-Government Master Plan (NeGMP)

The National e-Government Master Plan (NeGMP) was formulated in 2015, received approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2018, and was officially launched in 2019. The NeGMP was developed in collaboration with the Government of Korea. The Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) played a pivotal role in sponsoring and implementing the first phase of the NeGMP. This phase included the development of the Nigerian Government Enterprise Architecture, a foundational framework for digital governance in Nigeria. 

Six main priorities, as outlined in the Master Plan, include:

• Establishment of a Presidential Committee on ICT/e-Government;
• Development of a capacity building program;
• Creation and utilization of an e-Government promotion fund;
• Enactment of laws necessary for e-Government;
• Establishment of a Standard Software Framework for e-Government;
• e-Procurement implementation.

2020 – National Broadband Plan (2020–2025)

2024 – draft National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill

The Bill was developed through nationwide consultations which brought together stakeholders from all 36 states and Abuja FCT. The Bill is sponsored by Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu from Ogun West Constituency, and Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide, member of the Federal House of Representatives who represented Ibadan North West/South West Federal Constituency. 

Private sector participated in the consultations as well. As such, representatives of Ilorin Innovation Hub from Kwara state, Benue Digital Infrastructure Company PLC (BDIC), as well as First Bank Nigeria Limited, the country’s primary commercial bank took part in the Bill elaboration. The formulation of the Bill also  involved international organizations, including the World Bank Group’s Identification for Development (ID4D). 

Core domains of the Bill include electronic transactions, digital governance infrastructure, consumer rights and data protection, cybersecurity, and digital economy development. The document is applied to all electronic transactions and communications within the country, encompassing public service institutions, private establishments, individuals, and organizations engaged in digital activities, either wholly or partially within Nigeria. To support the country’s digital transformation, the Bill requires the establishment of ICT units within every public institution, ensuring the implementation of electronic governance across all levels of government. 

2024 – draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS)

In August 2024, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), released Nigeria’s first draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS). 

Nigeria features a dual-track approach to e-government with the presence of the government-led e.gov.ng and the privately operated OneGov.ng. It reflects a broader tension between centralized public control and market-driven innovation. 

eGov.ng is managed by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy in partnership with Galaxy Backbone Ltd., a 100% government-owned information technology company which serves as the main shared services provider. It offers a range of services, including National Identification Number (NIN) enrollment, visa applications, driver’s license renewals, and product registrations. Service providers for the website include the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC), and Scamwatch Nigeria. The platform supports multiple languages—English, French, Hausa, and Yoruba—but notably excludes Igbo. 

OneGov.ng, developed by DigiServe Network Services Limited, presents a privately owned alternative for accessing government services. It aims to simplify interactions by offering a centralized interface for various services, targeting residents, business owners, and government representatives. As of May 2025, OneGov plans to expand services across Ogun and Ekiti States, although it does not currently provide direct service links. The platform imposes a service charge for each transaction with government agencies.

In February 2025, the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) advocated for an executive order mandating all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to migrate their services to the OneGov.ng portal.

Source: OneGov

Nigeria’s National Identification Number (NIN) registration initiative, led by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), is a pivotal component of the nation’s digital transformation strategy. The NIN is now required for accessing government services such as passport applications, and the registration process can be completed online or at NIMC enrollment centres across the country. While significant progress has been made, challenges such as infrastructure limitations, public awareness, and data accuracy persist, potentially impacting the achievement of the 200 million enrollment target by 2025. 

In December 2023, approximately 104,2 million Nigerians were issued a National Identification Number (NIN) by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). Given Nigeria’s estimated population of around 227,9 million in 2023, less than half of the population is registered in the national identity database. In September 2024, NIMC reported that approximately 110 million Nigerians had been enrolled in the NIN system, compared to  107,3 million recorded in May 2024. 

In February 2025, NIN registration stood at 117 million. The enrollment figures are geographically concentrated, with Lagos leading at 12.7 million registrations, followed by Kano (10.4 million), Kaduna (6.9 million), Ogun (4.9 million), and Oyo (4.5 million). Conversely, states like Bayelsa, Ebonyi, and Ekiti report significantly lower enrollment numbers. 

A significant portion of the population remains unaware of the NIN’s importance or is skeptical about the registration process, affecting overall enrollment rates. The requirement for individuals to pay fees for data corrections (₦16,340, or ~USD 10), such as date of birth modifications, may deter citizens with inaccuracies from updating their information, leading to potential data integrity issues. 

In 2013, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) developed the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS). The process of digitization of tax administration was further supported in 2021, when FIRS launched the TaxPro Max, a primary e-tax portal which enables taxpayers to file returns for Value Added Tax (VAT), Companies Income Tax (CIT), and Tertiary Education Tax, and obtain Tax Clearance Certificates (TCCs). The website currently supports only Naira-denominated transactions, with foreign currency filings yet to be integrated.

The same year, FIRS deployed the Automated Tax Administration System (ATAS) which enabled automated tax investigations and audits and the collection of data via the use of cloud records. 

Launched in April 2025, the Merchant Buyers’ Service Solution (MBS) (eInvoice) now serves as the national electronic invoicing platform. The platform is administered by FIRS in collaboration with NITDA. In July 2025, MBS is expected to enter its pilot phase for selected large taxpayers, and will encompass all large taxpayers from January 2026. Medium and small businesses will be subsequently included. E-invoicing is mandatory for all VAT-registered businesses, covering B2B, B2C, and B2G transactions. With the new system, invoices can be generated, validated, stored and exchanged in real time, ensuring authenticity and integrity through unique Invoice Reference Numbers (IRNs) and Cryptographic Stamp Identifiers (CSIDs). 

In the first quarter of 2022, FIRS collected ~USD 331 mln from CIT, marking a 35.6% increase compared to ~USD 244 mln in Q1 2021. This surge is attributed to the introduction of TaxPro Max, which streamlined tax filing processes. During the same period, VAT collections rose by 18.6%, from ~USD 308 mln in Q1 2021 to ~USD 365 mln in Q1 2022. Between 2019 and 2023, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) revenues experienced a 131% increase, while VAT revenues grew by 62%. 

However, national compliance rates remain suboptimal. While large taxpayers exhibit compliance rates above 90%, the national average hovers around 50%. Adoption rates for e-filing, e-payment, and e-assessment ranged from approximately 54.2% to 62.4% in 2024, suggesting that a significant portion of the taxpayer base has yet to fully embrace digital tax administration.

Source: TaxPro MAX

In 2019, the Federal Ministry of Education launched the National Policy on ICT in Education. According to the Policy, one of the main challenges in the sector is lack of standardization for the use of ICT in the informal education sector, which results in a plethora of computer trainings offering undefined and non-standardised certificates. 

A key component of this digital transformation is Nigeria Education Management Information System (NEMIS), which serves as the central platform for collecting, processing, and disseminating education data across the country. As of May 2025, it has been implemented in over 174,000 schools nationwide, including more than 92,000 private institutions. The system contains data from pre-primary, primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary schools and tertiary education facilities. It reports on key indicators such as school enrollment, teacher distribution, infrastructure availability, and student performance metrics. The system also facilitates the Annual School Census (ASC), which is crucial for planning and resource allocation. A dashboard with statistical information on primary, secondary and tertiary education, levels of enrollment, and literacy campaigns is also accessible via the system. 

The development of NEMIS commenced in September 2005, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Education with technical assistance from the World Bank. The National Policy on EMIS was approved in 2007, with implementation guidelines following in 2009. A comprehensive review of the policy was conducted in 2021.

Source: Nigeria Education Management Information System (Schools page)

In 2022, the Ministry of Education in collaboration with UNICEF and Microsoft launched the Nigeria Learning Passport, a digital platform providing curriculum-aligned educational resources. Other partners of the project include Airtel, Global Partnership for Education (GPE), HIS Towers, and Sony and Botnar Foundation. By 2023, the platform had over 750,000 registered users, up from 117,585 in 2022, and reached more than 2.7 million young people. It offers over 15,000 curriculum-aligned resources, including interactive lessons, digital textbooks, and self-paced learning modules, catering to students from primary to secondary education levels. 

Courses offered within the Nigeria Learning Passport cover core subjects such as Mathematics, Science, English, and Social Studies, with the lessons being available in English, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba. In June 2024, the platform reached one million subscribers, being operational across 18 states.

Source: Nigeria Learning Passport

In 2015, the Ministry of Health adopted the National Health ICT Strategic Framework (2015-2020). At the time of the strategy development, eHealth initiatives included the Registries of Health Facilities, clients and health workers, as well as the National Health Management Information System (NHMIS). 

The National Health Management Information System (NHMIS) was primarily established in 1993 and harmonized in 2006. NHMIS utilizes the District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2), a web-based platform developed by the University of Oslo. By 2021, all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory had successfully transitioned to the 2019 version of NHMIS, standardizing data reporting across the country. 

In 2024, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare launched the Nigeria Digital in Health Initiative (NDHI). Under the initiative, the Government aims to develop digital health standards, restructure digital health governance frameworks and establish data privacy guidelines to protect patient information, as well as implement platforms to ameliorate citizen experience, such as appointment scheduling and teleconsultations. The National Digital Health Infrastructure (NDHI) project is an integral part of the NDHI, under which the Government plans the nationwide deployment of Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems. EHRs are envisioned to be implemented across 1,691 health facilities, including primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. 

Nigeria Case Management System (NCMS) serves as a centralized e-filing gateway for superior courts in Nigeria, facilitating electronic submission of court processes and case tracking. The NCMS was officially rolled out across Nigeria in December 2020. This initiative was led by the Judicial Information Technology Policy Committee (JITPO-COM) under the National Judicial Council (NJC). 

In November 2024, the Investments and Securities Tribunal (IST) partnered with the NJC to integrate its operations into the e-filing portal, aiming to bolster case management and facilitate global access to filings. 

In August 2013, the NJC contracted the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) to design and implement an automated court case management system for Nigerian courts. The NCSC collaborated with CMC Limited, a Tata Group company headquartered in India, to develop the software framework supporting the NCMS.  

The NCMS e-Filing mobile application is available on the Google Play Store. The app enables legal practitioners to file processes electronically, manage case documents, and receive real-time updates.

Source: Nigeria Case Management System

The Federal High Court has developed its own e-filing and case management system, allowing for electronic submission of documents, case tracking, and access to e-causelists. The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) implemented a Case Management System (CMS) in 2017. This development was tied to the implementation of the 2017 Civil Procedure Rules, which aimed to establish a fast-track case management system for all civil matters within the court’s jurisdiction. 

During the 2023 general elections, Nigeria employed several digital tools aimed at improving the electoral process. Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) utilized fingerprint and facial recognition to authenticate voters, ensuring that only eligible individuals cast votes. It replaced the previous Smart Card Reader and was used in over 200,000 polling units during the 2023 elections. The Electoral Act 2022 legalized the use of technology for transmitting election results, allowing for real-time updates. 

In 2020, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) introduced INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), a platform which allows the citizens to view copies of election results as compiled and recorded at polling units upon the conclusion of voting. During the 2022 Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, polling unit-level results were uploaded on the portal as part of INEC’s policy on electronic transmission of results. However, the portal has faced technological challenges that affected its seamless operation during the 2023 presidential election.

As the country approaches 2027 general elections, local experts advocate for the introduction of NIN into the electoral scheme. This is due to the low turnout during the 2023 elections, when only 28,6% of eligible voters participated. Low attendance is attributed to logistical challenges and queues, which could be addressed with the introduction of e-voting.

In 2018, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) launched a government public procurement system. The system includes the National Database of Contractors, Consultants, and Service Providers (ND-CCSP) and the Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO). Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO) serves as the central hub for accessing public procurement information across all stages of the procurement process, including planning, tendering, award, and implementation. 

In 2023, the BPP approved public procurement projects totaling approximately USD 6,4 bln and achieved savings of about USD 56 mln. As of May 2025, NOCOPO has recorded a total of 95,162 public procurement projects.

Source: NOCOPO

Procurement portals are also present across federal states. For instance, Edo State was dubbed the leader in e-procurement. It officially launched its electronic procurement portal in 2021. The state’s system was developed under the World Bank-funded States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS) program. The Edo State Public Procurement Agency (EDPPA) oversees its implementation. The e-procurement system was initially piloted in four key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs): Health, Education, Roads and Bridges, and Public Buildings and Maintenance Agency. These MDAs account for about 60% of the state’s capital budget. Between 2018 and 2022, the EDPPA published data on approximately 600 procurement processes, totaling ~USD 205 mln from 31 agencies.

Source: e-GP (Home page)

Source: e-GP (Processes of Opened Bids page)

In 2012, the BPP launched the centralized Contractor Registration System, serving as a centralized database of contractors, consultants, and service providers which assigns unique contractor identification numbers. The System enhanced the ability to verify contractor information, reducing instances of project abandonment.

Source: Contractor Registration System

The Nigeria Single Window Trade project was launched in April 2024. The NSWTP is projected to generate approximately USD 3 bln in annual revenue. The Portal is ought to facilitate import, export and transit procedures. 

Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is responsible for the registration and regulation of businesses in Nigeria. CAC’s digital services offer online business name registration, access to business records and filings, and renewal and update of business information. 

In 2024, Nigeria’s mobile money transactions rose to ~USD 44,6 bln, demonstrating a 53.4% increase from ~USD 29 bln in 2023. Transaction volumes also rose by 23%, reaching 3.9 billion transactions, up from 3 billion the previous year. 

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) oversees mobile money operations through a regulatory framework established in 2021. Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) provides deposit insurance coverage of up to ~USD 300 for mobile money wallet subscribers. 

As of 2025, the CBN has licensed 17 companies to operate as Mobile Money Operators (MMOs) in Nigeria. Top licensed mobile money operators include OPay (Opera Pay), which has a user base of over 20 million, with estimated valuation of USD 3 bln in 2024; Moniepoint with valuation over USD 1 bln; and PalmPay (over 35 million customers and 1.2 million business users). 

eNaira, Nigeria’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), was launched in 2021, marking the first CBDC initiative in Africa. Key stakeholders of eNaira include the CBN) and Bitt Inc., a fintech company which developed and deployed the eNaira platform, including wallet infrastructure and integration with financial institutions. Nevertheless, the adoption of the digital currency remained low, standing at 0.36% of currency in circulation in 2024.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) launched the Payments System Vision 2025 (PSV 2025) in November 2022. This strategic roadmap aims to modernize the nation’s payment infrastructure, enhance security, and promote financial inclusion. PayGov Nigeria, a digital payment platform was launched in 2020 in order to facilitate government-related payments. Nevertheless, the system is not widely used by the population. 

Developed by Nigerian fintech company SystemSpecs and licensed by the CBN, Remita has been widely used to perform financial transactions since 2012. It was the gateway for the Treasury Single Account (TSA) of the Nigerian government. In March 2025, the Government introduced the Treasury Management & Revenue Assurance System (TMRAS) to replace Remitta. TMRAS is planned to be deployed within the double-phased approach. The first phase which began in March concentrates on naira transactions, while starting from June 2025, TMRAS is planned to be used for foreign exchange transactions and integration with existing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.

The AfriGo Domestic Card Scheme is Nigeria’s first national payment card initiative, launched in 2023 by the CBN in collaboration with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS). AfriGo is managed by AfriGOpay Financial Services Ltd, a subsidiary of NIBSS, and is jointly owned by the CBN and licensed Nigerian banks. The Afrigo card is a debit card linked to E-Naira. AfriGo aims to bring more Nigerians into the formal financial system, as in 2024, 74% of the adult population had access to financial services. The same year, the CBN reported that 28 million of the population lacked access to formal banking products. 

In 2020, NITDA released the draft National Digital Agriculture Strategy (NDAS). NDAS was developed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMCDE). The Strategy declared a goal to increase agricultural productivity and minimize food waste by 50%, as well as grow the share of agriculture in GDP to 50%. 

Integration of ICT in agriculture attracts young people to keep being engaged in farming activities, which helps to tackle unemployment and benefits the nation in terms of food security. A study utilizing data from the Living Standards Measurement Study – Integrated Surveys on Agriculture (LSMS-ISA) Wave 4 (2018/2019) found that ICT adoption in agriculture significantly boosts youth employment in Nigeria. 

Specifically, ICT adoption is associated with an approximate 21% increase in youth agricultural employment. Furthermore, the study revealed that young individuals with access to ICT tools are 29.46% more likely to engage in agricultural activities compared to their peers without such access. In January 2025, the Government of Nigeria launched the Youth Farmers Enrollment Portal, designed to address unemployment and food insecurity by providing young individuals with access to agricultural resources and opportunities.

The National e-Agriculture Portal serves as a centralized platform for farmers to access digital services. It includes features like farm registration, resource centers, and links to relevant organizations, facilitating better access to information and services. The portal was made operational in 2015. It contains statistical data on national production and consumption by each state. 

The NIN-Enabled Farmer Registry is a collaborative initiative between Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). Announced in January 2025, the program aims to enhance agricultural interventions by creating a comprehensive database of farmers. Each farmer’s biometric data is linked to their NIN, ensuring accurate identification and authentication. The registry will be linked with Government-to-People (G2P) biometric cards to access targeted government aid, such as subsidies, loans, and welfare disbursements. The first phase of the project includes registration of two million farmers within three months, which is planned to be extended to six million farmers, with the plan of encompassing all farmers nationwide. 

Digitalization of agriculture can be seen on the state level as well. In 2023, the Ogun State Farmer Information Management System (OGFIMS) was jointly launched by the Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and CGIAR, previously known as the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research. This initiative is part of the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), supported by the World Bank. As of early 2025, OGFIMS has registered over 160,000 farmers, with plans to include an additional 100,000.

E-government services of Nigeria are often fragmented across various platforms, which leads to issues with integration. Existence of two one-stop shop portals serves as an example. The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) has recommended that all MDAs migrate to a single e-government portal, onegov.ng, to streamline public service delivery. Hence, a single window to access all the digital public services is yet to be operational.

As of Q3 2023, approximately 92.3% of employed Nigerians were engaged in informal employment, a figure that slightly decreased to 92.7% in Q1 2024. Self-employment is predominant, with 85.6% of the working-class population operating independently, especially in rural areas where formal job opportunities are scarce. The informal sector contributes over 50% to Nigeria’s GDP. Lack of formal registration hinder tax compliance and financial inclusion of the population. 

The NIN registration process has encountered challenges related to data accuracy. Errors in personal information, such as date of birth discrepancies, are common. Furthermore, less than a half of the population has gained a unique identification number, thus limiting the Government’s abilities to include all the citizens into the digital public services landscape, as NIN serves as a means of identification on the e-government websites.

In the Q1 of 2024, there were over 243,000 pending cases in superior courts, comprising almost 200,000 civil and 43,500 criminal cases. The Chief Justice of Nigeria has attributed the high number of pending cases to the poor performance of some judges, indicating that judicial efficiency varies across the system. In addition, in 2024, the FCT High Court predominantly relied on manual processes. A study revealed that 87.5% of respondents considered IT applications as non-effectively used in the FCT High Court. 

As many rural communities lack access to National Identification Number (NIN) registration centers, leading to low enrollment rates, mobile registration units equipped with biometric capture devices to underserved areas could be deployed. Provision of training for local community leaders could assist in the enrollment of elderly and disabled individuals. 

Introduction of tax exemptions for early registration and compliance, as well as formalization of accessible financial services, such as microloans and saving accounts, are instrumental to engage the informal sector to use the government financial services. 

Establishment of infrastructure for virtual hearings to accommodate litigants and legal practitioners, especially in remote areas and revision of court rules to formally recognize and regulate e-filing and virtual hearings would help to streamline the use of ICT in the legal system. For instance, the FCT High Court’s new Civil Procedure Rules, effective from March 3, 2025, include provisions for electronic filing and virtual hearings, aiming to modernize judicial processes.

National Best Practices

Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO)

NOCOPO provides access to procurement information across all stages: planning, tendering, award, and implementation. It fosters citizen engagement through feedback mechanisms and aligns with global Open Contracting Data Standards (OCDS). NOCOPO enhances transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in public procurement, serving as a model for open contracting initiatives worldwide. In 2017, NOCOPO received a global innovation award from the Open Contracting Partnership and Open Data Institute.

Contractor Registration System (CRS)

The CRS serves as a model for other nations aiming to enhance transparency and efficiency in public procurement. Its centralized approach to contractor management can be adapted to various governmental contexts to improve procurement outcomes.The system is first of its kind in Nigeria and its innovative potential to be distributed across the continent is internationally recognized.

Youth Farmers Enrollment Portal

Being an initiative which targets crucial social issues such as unemployment and food security, the concept of a Portal designed to assist both farmers and young professionals could become a regional project and umbrella organization across the continent’s subregions. The initiative aims to create six million direct jobs in agriculture and related sectors by 2025, demonstrating a scalable model for economic growth through youth engagement.

Regional inspirations

Tanzania

e-Mrejesho serves as a feedback platform that enables citizens to report complaints, send suggestions or requests to different institutions including sectoral ones, as well as to track their status. G2C initiatives are supported by the Recruitment Portal, which grants access to 60 job vacancies, thus being a solution to tackle the issue of wide informal sector presence. 

South Africa

The Government of South Africa has achieved significant progress in the sphere of G2C services, with availability of labour-oriented ones. Regional services such as the KZN e-Recruitment system and online tools of the Department of Employment and Labour provide a worth-sharing experience. 

Authors:

Daria Sukhova, Researcher for the Program and Hub