The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has renewed calls for the harmonization of data systems across government institutions to enhance Nigeria’s digital identity infrastructure and support national development.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the National Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Coordination Committee in Abuja, NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, stressed that disjointed data silos continue to obstruct effective planning and service delivery.
“Technology can connect every stage—from birth registration to national budgeting—if our data is unified. Without this, we cannot gain the insights necessary for strategic national development,” Inuwa said.
He emphasized that the ongoing CRVS reform aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes digital infrastructure, data-driven policymaking, and efficient governance. Inuwa noted that aligning identity and statistical information from key agencies such as the National Population Commission (NPC), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is critical to achieving inclusive, responsive governance.
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Inuwa also assured stakeholders that NITDA will provide digital standards and advisory support to streamline civil registration digitization, making the process more citizen-friendly. “Our role is to ensure a seamless, secure, and integrated digital ecosystem for all Nigerians,” he added.
He highlighted NITDA’s broader mission to build the infrastructure and frameworks necessary for a unified digital governance system. “Paper forms and office queues are outdated—everything must now be digital, seamless, and secure,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo recently noted that harmonized data would ease bureaucratic burdens and reduce costs for citizens and the government alike. “With one NIN, citizens should access services like passport and BVN registration without repeated data submissions,” he stated, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ending fragmented identity systems.
