Nigeria Advances Digital Governance As NITDA Takes Over NGEA Portal

The director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has formally received the Nigeria Government Enterprise Architecture (NGEA) Portal, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digital transformation efforts.

Speaking at the handover ceremony held in Abuja recently, Abdullahi , who was represented by the director of corporate planning and strategy, Dr Dimie Warowei, described the event as the culmination of a strategic partnership between Nigeria and the Republic of Korea, supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

The NGEA initiative, which began in late 2022, is a key component of Nigeria’s e-Government Masterplan 2.0. It aims to modernize public sector digital infrastructure through integrated systems and standardized frameworks across government institutions, a statement issued by the Spokesperson of NITDA, Haidiza Umar, said.

Abdullahi noted that over the past two and a half years, Nigerian and Korean experts collaborated to review and upgrade the country’s enterprise architecture framework. The project delivered a revised structure designed to improve interoperability, efficiency, and alignment with national priorities.

As part of the initiative, several reference models, including Technology, Business, and Service models, have been developed to guide implementation across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). Additional Data and Performance Reference Models are expected to further strengthen the system.

Pilot programmes were conducted in key government institutions, including the National Identity Management Commission, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and NITDA itself. These agencies received capacity-building support and customized digital transformation roadmaps.

The director – general also highlighted the deployment of supporting infrastructure by indigenous firm Qorebox Technologies Limited, hosted within facilities of Galaxy Backbone, with a two-year maintenance plan to ensure system stability.

He emphasised that the newly launched NGEA Portal represents more than just a digital platform, describing it as a foundation for a more coordinated and citizen-focused government.

“The successful implementation of enterprise architecture across government will help reduce duplication, improve interoperability, and enhance service delivery,” Abdullahi said.

He expressed appreciation to the Korean government and KOICA for their technical and strategic support, reaffirming NITDA’s commitment to expanding the adoption of the framework nationwide.

In his remarks, the country director of KOICA, Mr Eunsub Kim, described the event as the outcome of a successful partnership between KOICA and NITDA. He commended NITDA for its pivotal role in driving the initiative and reaffirmed KOICA’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation efforts.

Also speaking, the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Engr Nadungu Gagare, represented by Mr Johnson Bareyei, described the NGEA Portal as a transition from fragmented digital initiatives to a more coordinated national framework.

He noted that the achievement aligns with the ministry’s transformation agenda under the leadership of Dr Bosun Tijani, and expressed appreciation to the Korean government for its technical and financial support, while also commending NITDA for successfully driving the project.

The handover signals the beginning of a new phase, with NITDA set to lead the operational management and long-term sustainability of the platform as Nigeria continues its push toward a more digitally driven public sector, the statement said.