President Bola Tinubu has been appointed chairman of a newly inaugurated Presidential Committee on the Implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), as the federal government intensifies efforts to fast-track the country’s digital transformation agenda.
The committee, inaugurated on Monday in Abuja, is mandated to ensure a well-coordinated, legally compliant, and development-aligned rollout of DPI systems across Nigeria.
According to a statement by Segun Imohiosen, the director of information in the office of the secretary to the government of the federation, the initiative is anchored on three core pillars—digital identity, financial payments, and data exchange—designed to improve public service delivery, enhance innovation, and support inclusive economic growth.
Speaking at the event on behalf of the SGF, Senator George Akume, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, emphasised the transformative potential of DPI in building a modern digital economy. He described it as a tool to unlock new opportunities, create jobs, and empower citizens.
“To achieve this vision, we must establish a well-coordinated governance structure. DPI is not just a technological shift — it’s a foundation for improved governance, service delivery, and citizen engagement,” Dr. Tijani said.
Also lending her voice to the initiative, the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote pledged the commission’s full support for the DPI agenda. She said the successful implementation of digital infrastructure would play a critical role in advancing economic growth, fostering transparency, and improving the quality of life for Nigerians.
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, highlighted the need to unify government databases. According to him, seamless data exchange is key to enhancing citizens‘ experiences of government services.
On his part, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), Mr. Premier Oiwoh, underscored the importance of collaboration among agencies to address identity and payment challenges. NIBSS has been working closely with NIMC to verify National Identity Numbers (NIN) and Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), ensuring secure and efficient financial transactions.
The newly formed committee comprises key government officials and heads of strategic institutions. It is expected to provide strategic direction and ensure synergy among agencies involved in digital identity management, payment systems, and data sharing.
With the committee‘s launch, the Federal Government signals a firm commitment to building a strong digital public infrastructure that will drive innovation, improve governance, and position Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s digital economy.
The presidential Committee includes President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Chairman), Secretary to the Government of the Federation (Member/Secretariat), Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Attorney-General of the Federation, and Minister of Justice.
Others include the Finance, Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Interior, Budget and National Planning ministers, the NIMC Director-General, and the NITDA Director-General.
