The National Information Technology Development Agency has inaugurated a multi-stakeholder coordination group to strengthen the national digital governance framework.

The inauguration of the group on Wednesday in Abuja was a follow-up to Nigeria’s OpenGov Challenge Award at the 2025 Open Government Partnership Global Summit in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.

During the event, Nigeria emerged as the top in Africa and the Middle East. Nigeria also emerged as the best in the thematic category in the global ranking.

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 a government but as a 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, the government is doing a lot to include the underserved and unserved, as well as people living with disabilities, by equipping them with digital literacy skills and ensuring that every Nigerian is part of it.

He recalled that, with their IT project clearance instrument in place across ministries, departments, and agencies, in collaboration with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, they saved the government over N319 billion in 2025.

Mr Inuwa further said that the agency was also institutionalising MDAs’ operations to ensure transformation processes outlived any leadership.

Aristotle Onumo, director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, said the MSCG would harness the collective strength of government, the private sector, civil society, academia, and development partners.

Gloria Ahmed, national coordinator, OGP, said the establishment of the multi-stakeholder platform aligned with OGP’s core principles.

Ms 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 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, the private sector, civil society, academia and citizens to ensure coordination, protect digital rights and address issues such as censorship.

Ms 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.

(NAN)