Nigeria’s quest to digitise governance and bring services closer to its citizens gained new momentum at the 7th Nigeria e-Government Summit, where policymakers, private sector leaders, and civil society outlined a roadmap for building secure, citizen-centred digital services.
Convened in Lagos by Lanre Ajayi, executive chairman of DigiServe Network Services, the summit focused on the theme “Public-Private Partnership for Effective e-Government Service Delivery.” The gathering underscored how collaboration between government and industry has become the foundation of Nigeria’s digital transformation, with outcomes already saving trillions of naira, improving service delivery, and boosting citizen trust.
Ajayi reflected on the summit’s legacy since inception, noting its role in bridging gaps between public institutions and innovators. “We have showcased transformative e-government pilot projects that have improved service timelines, reduced costs, and increased satisfaction. This platform has connected federal, state, and local governments with private innovators, producing actionable reforms in procurement, policy, and data governance,” he said.
One of the strongest messages at this year’s summit was that Nigeria’s e-government future rests on four key pillars: digital identity, cybersecurity, data protection, and broadband connectivity.
Abisoye Coker-Odusote, director general at the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), described digital identity as the central nervous system of e-governance. “Without a verified digital identity, e-government initiatives create silos, redundancy, and exclusion,” she said.
Coker-Odusote added that the National Identification Number (NIN) is already enabling interoperability across platforms, making it possible for banks, telecoms, and government agencies to deliver more secure and inclusive services.
Data protection was also highlighted as a non-negotiable foundation, as Vincent Olatunji, CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), stressed that privacy is the cornerstone of public trust. “Without privacy, we cannot achieve efficient e-government services,” he said.
He pointed to existing successes such as the Treasury Single Account, which saved over N10 trillion, and the Integrated Payroll System, which eliminated 70,000 ghost workers. According to him, digitising government payments could add as much as 4.5 percent to Nigeria’s GDP annually, with digital processes already proven to be 74 percent faster than in-person equivalents.
But even with progress, challenges remain. Olatunji warned that issues like the digital divide, low literacy, and cybercrime could stall progress if not urgently addressed through lawful data collection and stronger cybersecurity frameworks.
Cybersecurity was another central theme. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), represented by Tunji Jimoh, announced plans for an industry-wide cybersecurity framework to safeguard digital public services.
He also revealed that broadband penetration has risen to 48 percent in 2025, with 11 states waiving right-of-way charges to accelerate fibre rollout. “Universal access is no longer aspirational. It is within reach, and it is the backbone of e-government,” he stated.
The summit also emphasised the importance of partnerships. Tony Izuagbe Emokpere, president of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), argued that no government can singlehandedly deliver seamless online services. “Public-private partnerships remain the key to citizen-centred digital governance,” he said, pledging telecom industry support to provide the infrastructure powering Nigeria’s e-government push.
Similarly, Adesola Akinsanya, the president of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), underscored the role of Nigeria’s .ng domain in strengthening trust and identity online. He cited the Corporate Affairs Commission’s success in digital business registration as a model for other government agencies to follow.
Falilat Jimoh, the National Information Technology Development Agency’s representative, added that Nigeria’s youthful population demands a digital architecture that serves people, not processes. She highlighted the Nigerian e-Government Interoperability Framework as a tool to prevent fragmented systems and attract investment.
With Nigeria currently ranked 144th on the UN e-Government Development Index, stakeholders advocated for stronger focus on interoperability, trust, and inclusive partnerships to accelerate the nation’s digital transformation.
“The monumental task of building secure, inclusive e-government services cannot be achieved in silos. It requires a collective vision, one that unites government, industry, and citizens,” said Kunle Olorundare of the Internet Society Nigeria.
