The federal government, on Thursday, took delivery of the Nigerian Government Enterprise Architecture portal from the Korea International Cooperation Agency.

This marks a major step in strengthening digital governance and improving coordination across ministries, departments and agencies.

The portal was developed by KOICA in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency, which also received the portal documents in Abuja.

The handover ceremony had its theme as ‘Strengthening Digital Governance and Whole-of-Government ICT Integration in Nigeria’.

Kashifu Inuwa, NITDA director-general, said the initiative was a critical component of the Nigeria E-Government Master Plan 2.0. He described it as a strategic bilateral engagement between Nigeria and Korea.

Mr Inuwa said the engagement was aimed at accelerating digital transformation through modern, integrated systems.

Mr Inuwa noted that the portal would provide the structural framework required to ensure interoperability, efficiency and alignment of government digital services with national priorities. He acknowledged that it had been difficult for MDAs to communicate and share information, adding that the platform would address the challenge and connect MDAs with a shared vision for improved data systems.

Mr Inuwa added that four institutions, including NITDA, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Identity Management Commission, were selected for the pilot phase of the project.

Mr Inuwa said the infrastructure had been deployed within the NITDA workspace, supported by policies to ensure stability and continuity.

Budget and economic planning minister Abubakar Bagudu said the initiative would enhance coordination across government institutions and improve public service delivery. He said digitalising government systems remained central to Nigeria’s development priorities, adding that it would strengthen transparency, policy coordination and service efficiency.

Mr Bagudu noted that the initiative aligned with the National Development Plan (2026–2030), which prioritised digital transformation as a key driver of economic growth and institutional efficiency.

He added that any country willing to assist Nigeria in developing its digitalisation process must align with established models that promote coordination, efficiency, and sustainable infrastructure, such as KOICA’s.

Nagungu Gagare, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, described the initiative as a shift from fragmented systems to coordinated execution.

He said the NGEA provided a governance structure that aligned people, processes, data, and technology with national priorities.

KOICA’s country director, Eunsub Kim, said the handover marked the culmination of over four years of collaboration, strategic planning and partnership.

Mr Kim explained that the project began with the selection of pilot MDAs, followed by a comprehensive analysis and development of an enterprise architecture framework for NITDA, NIMC, NIS and NCS, which was launched in 2024.

“At the core of this achievement is the enterprise architecture framework, an essential tool for effective information system planning in a complex public sector environment,” he said.

He said the portal represented a shared vision of a more efficient, interconnected and digitally enabled public sector, reaffirming KOICA’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation. 

(NAN)