By The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) unveiled the Nigerian Data Exchange Platform (NGDX) on August 25, 2025, aiming to simplify how personal information is shared across government agencies.
This new system promises to eliminate the long-standing hassle of providing the same data repeatedly for multiple services.
For years, Nigerians have been burdened with submitting identical personal details and biometric information when accessing essential services such as National Identification Number (NIN) registration, driver’s license applications, Bank Verification Number (BVN) registration, SIM card activation, and passport procurement. The newly introduced platform, NGDX, is designed as a secure and unified system that interlinks government institutions, allowing authorized bodies to verify and share data seamlessly behind the scenes.
NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, explained during a stakeholder meeting in Abuja that this digital framework will save citizens time and reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies in public service delivery. The scheme also facilitates faster Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures for businesses, especially fintech companies reliant on reliable identity verification.
The project opens doors for innovation by enabling startups and enterprises to utilize anonymized public data to develop advanced solutions in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, financial technology, and education. Describing the platform as essential digital infrastructure, akin to the country’s fibre optic network rollout, Inuwa emphasized its critical role in boosting Nigeria’s digital economy.
The NGDX is supported by the European Union through the Global Gateway project, with collaborative input from partners in Finland, Estonia, Germany, and France. Estonia, noted for its advanced digital government model, is providing expertise on secure digital identity and cross-agency data sharing.
The NGDX will serve as a game-changer, enabling citizens to interact with government institutions more easily without the repetitive burden of data submission. Our platform not only streamlines access to public services but also fosters innovation by providing startups access to anonymized datasets to drive solutions that improve healthcare, agriculture, fintech, and education technology – Kashifu Inuwa, NITDA Director-General
Future advancements are envision to create a more efficient, transparent, and user-friendly government interface, paving the way for continued digital transformation.
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