NITDA Releases Draft Technical Standards for Digital Public Infrastructure, Seeks Public Input

ABUJA, Nigeria — The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has released the draft Technical Standards for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), calling on stakeholders and the general public to participate in an open consultation process by submitting feedback before May 8, 2025.

This move marks a major step in Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, aiming to build a secure, interoperable, and inclusive digital ecosystem that can significantly enhance public service delivery, empower citizens, and drive socioeconomic growth across the country.

What Are the Draft Technical Standards for DPI?

The newly introduced draft standards provide a comprehensive framework that will guide the development, deployment, and regulation of Digital Public Infrastructure across Nigeria. The document outlines:

Technical requirements
Best industry practices
Integration techniques
Cybersecurity protocols
Governance frameworks

All aimed at fostering interoperability, data protection, and operational efficiency across various government digital platforms.

“This framework provides the foundation for a whole-of-government approach to transforming public service delivery while enabling private sector innovation,” said NITDA.

Nigeria to Establish Digital Public Infrastructure Centre

A core pillar of the framework is the creation of the Nigerian Digital Public Infrastructure Centre (Ng-DPIC)—the central implementation hub. The Ng-DPIC will be responsible for:

Coordinating research and development
Driving education and awareness on DPI
Sharing knowledge with stakeholders
Ensuring resilience and sustainability of digital ecosystems

The centre aims to support the creation of a citizen-focused, innovation-driven infrastructure, ensuring that digital transformation efforts are inclusive, accessible, and locally relevant.

Key Areas Covered by the Draft Standards

The standards delve into sector-specific infrastructure components such as:

Digital Identity Systems
Electronic Payment Platforms
Data Exchange and Interoperability Frameworks

These components are critical in building Digital Public Goods (DPGs) and enabling foundational digital platforms for seamless service delivery.

Objectives of the Draft DPI Standards

NITDA outlined the following key objectives behind the standards:

Enhance Interoperability: Ensure smooth data sharing between platforms and institutions.
Ensure Data Security and Privacy: Comply with local and international data protection standards.
Promote Accessibility: Design inclusive systems that cater to all user groups, including the elderly and disabled.
Define Performance Metrics: Set benchmarks for uptime, response time, and scalability.
Foster Governance and Compliance: Encourage accountability, transparency, and legal adherence.
Encourage Innovation: Promote open-source adoption while ensuring ethical use.
Standardise Testing Practices: Ensure uniform evaluation of digital services and infrastructure performance.

Call for Public Consultation and Feedback

NITDA emphasized that the draft was created after intensive consultations with national and international stakeholders, aligning with global best practices.

“The document is available for public review. We encourage all stakeholders to provide feedback via email to: regulations@nitda.gov.ng on or before May 8, 2025,” the agency stated.

This consultation is a key step in ensuring that the standards reflect local realities while meeting global expectations.

Background: A Timeline of Nigeria’s DPI Journey

March 4, 2025: Federal Government launched the Digital Public Infrastructure Framework through the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
April 2025: NITDA publishes technical draft standards as a follow-up to operationalise the framework.

This initiative aims to unlock Nigeria’s digital economy potential, enhance digital service delivery, and establish a strong foundation for sustainable national development.

Conclusion

NITDA’s release of the draft Technical Standards for Digital Public Infrastructure is a landmark moment for Nigeria’s digital future. By laying the groundwork for interconnected, citizen-centric platforms, the agency is enabling a more inclusive, transparent, and efficient public sector.

The public consultation process ensures that these standards are shaped by diverse perspectives, reinforcing a collaborative approach to digital governance. All eyes are now on how stakeholders—across government, industry, and civil society—respond to this call for input.