By Ijeoma Olorunfemi
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has inaugurated a Multi-Stakeholder Coordination Group(MSCG) to strengthen the national digital governance framework.
The inauguration of the group on Wednesday in Abuja was a follow up to OpenGov Challenge Award by Nigeria at the 2025 Open Government Partnership (OGP) Global Summit in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
During the event Nigeria emerged top in Africa and the Middle East. Nigeria also emerged the best in the thematic category in the global ranking.
Malam Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of NITDA, said it was necessary to strengthen legal frameworks, policies and regulatory instruments.
“We have been working on the National E-Governance and Digital Economy Bill, we already have the Nigeria Data Protection Act, and we have other instruments.
“These provide governance for digital transformation and that’s what led to us being recognised at a global stage.
“Part of the responsibility is that when we come back, we should all work together, not just as government but as community, an ecosystem to maintain that position.
“That is why we are setting up and inaugurating this multi-stakeholder coordinating committee to make sure we build the wide digital governance we need in Nigeria and with inclusivity in mind,” he said.
According to him, government is doing a lot in terms of including the underserved, unserved, people living with disabilities and equipping them with skills in digital literacy, and ensuring that every Nigerian is part of it.
He recalled that with their IT Project Clearance instrument in Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) in collaboration with Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation saved over N319 billion for the government in 2025.
Inuwa further said that agency was also institutionalising MDAs operations to ensure transformation processes outlived any leadership.
“We want to use this coordinating group to make sure we institutionalise whatever framework, guidelines, policies we are putting in place.
“We institutionalise inclusivity in our digital transformation initiative and we make sure we design with security and privacy in mind and that every Nigerian benefits in whatever we do,” he said.
Dr Aristotle Onumo, Director, Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, said the MSCG would harness the collective strength of government, private sector, civil society, academia and development partners.
“This group is expected to bridge the gap between policy and implementation, serve as engine that will drive our commitments under the National Action Plan IV (NAP IV).
“The success of this initiative will not be defined by meetings alone; it will be defined by Outcomes; by the partnerships we build, the reforms we enable, and the impact we help to create.,” he said.
Dr Gloria Ahmed, National Coordinator, OGP, said the establishment of the multi-stakeholder platform aligned with the core principles of OGP.
Ahmed said the principles were dependent on transparency, accountability, and citizen participation which remained essential pillars for building trust and delivering responsive governance in the digital age.
According to her, Nigeria’s draft National Action Plan IV (NAP IV) contains 12 commitments across eight thematic areas, including the development of a Digital Public Infrastructure governance framework and the Nigeria Data Exchange Platform.
She said the plan also promoted a multi-sector approach involving government, private sector, civil society, academia and citizens to ensure coordination, protect digital rights and address issues such as censorship.
Ahmed said that the successful implementation of the plan would depend on sustained collaboration and active stakeholder participation.
She reaffirmed OGP Nigeria’s commitment to supporting partnerships that promote transparency, innovation and inclusive governance.
The organisations in the MSCG included the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, NITDA, Dataphyte Foundation, some Civil Society Organisations, among others.(NAN)http://www.nannews.ng
Edited by Uche Anunne
