By The National Information Technology Development Agency is seeking for inputs for the draft Technical Standards for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), a document designed to drive economic growth, enhance public service delivery, and empower citizens across the nation.
A statement by the Director, Corporate Communications and Media Relations of NITDA, Mrs Hadiza Umar said that the DPI framework presents a platform for reforming public service delivery, utilising a whole-of-government approach, which includes the opportunity for the private sector to build and deliver cross-cutting services that will enhance citizens’ well-being and access to services.
According to her, the framework also establishes the Nigerian Digital Public Infrastructure Centre (Ng-DPIC) as the program implementation office to coordinate the national effort to educate, support research and deliver appropriate knowledge management for developing Nigeria’s DPI.
She stated NITDA wants is engage stakeholder meaningfully in developing a robust DPI-driven architecture that benefits society. seeking input from stakeholders.
Giving further insights on the document, she said, “this draft Technical Standards for DPI provides a structured approach for developing and deploying Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
“They define the essential technical requirements and proven techniques to ensure interoperability, security, and efficiency across digital services. By establishing clear guides, these standards support the seamless integration of DPI components, fostering a secure, scalable, and resilient digital ecosystem in Nigeria.”
The document also seeks to establish clear guidelines for interoperability, data protection, cybersecurity, and the participation of both public and private sector stakeholders in building digital public goods (DPGs), utilising these critical digital foundations.
Key objectives of the draft Digital Public Infrastructure Regulation include:
- Enhance Interoperability: Ensure seamless communication across platforms, agencies, and services
- Ensure Data Security and Privacy: Protect sensitive information while complying with local and international regulations
- Promote Accessibility and Usability: Create inclusive systems that are easy to navigate and cater to all citizens, including marginalised groups.
- Define Performance Benchmarks: Establish metrics to ensure systems are reliable, scalable, and efficient.
- Foster Governance and Compliance: Provide clear accountability, transparency, and regulatory alignment rules
- Encourage Innovation: Facilitate the adoption of open-source technologies while adhering to proper usage guidelines.
- Standardise Testing Practices: Ensure consistent validation of systems to meet defined technical and user requirements.
