Nigeria’s technology agency, NITDA, says Nigeria must urgently unify data systems across government agencies to power digital identity and better planning for the future.
At a recent meeting in Abuja, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, called for all government institutions to harmonize their databases. He explained that lack of coordination has slowed evidence-based national development, while a seamless digital system could make government services smarter, faster, and more accessible for everyone.
“From birth registration to linking people’s legal identities to national planning, technology can help us bring everything together. Without harmonizing our data, we cannot generate the insight we need for national development.” – Inuwa said
He stated that this data harmonization move is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which focuses on building digital public infrastructure and using data for decision-making. Agencies like the National Population Commission (NPC), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) are expected to play major roles in this process.
Inuwa assured stakeholders that NITDA will set standards and offer support.
“Our goal is to make sure every institution involved in civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) has the right digital tools and advice. We want every process to be digital, seamless, and secure—nobody wants to fill out endless forms or move from office to office,” he stated.
Fragmented data systems have been a major challenge for years, leading to repeated identity registrations and wasted resources. The recent push is not the first time officials are highlighting this problem. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, also recently stressed the benefits of harmonization, noting it would save costs and make things easier for both citizens and government.
“When we harmonize our data, there will be seamless data exchange among government agencies. With their National Identification Number (NIN), citizens will be able to access passport services and bank registration without submitting the same data again and again,” Tunji-Ojo said. He promised that the Ministry of Interior would back the project fully.
While progress has been slow in the past, both NITDA and the Ministry of Interior now say they are committed to making data harmonization a reality. If successful, Nigerians could look forward to faster, simpler digital services and an end to repeated paperwork, a major step toward a more efficient, digital future.
