Nigerians may soon stop submitting the same personal information across multiple government agencies as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has revealed plans to deploy the Nigerian Data Exchange Platform (NGDX), a system aimed at simplifying how personal and biometric data is shared among federal institutions.
For years, citizens have repeatedly handed over their details for NIN registration, driver’s licences, BVN, SIM cards, and passports. That cycle could soon end. “By establishing a unified and secure data exchange platform, citizens will no longer need to repeatedly submit personal data to different government institutions, making access to public services faster and more seamlessly.
“The NGDX will open opportunities for innovation, allowing startups and enterprises to build solutions leveraging anonymised public data for improved healthcare delivery, agricultural productivity, fintech development, and education technology,” said Kashifu Inuwa, NITDA’s director general, during a stakeholders’ workshop in Abuja on Monday.
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The platform promises more than convenience, allowing authorised agencies to verify records on the backend, NGDX reduces inefficiencies, cuts costs, and accelerates processes that previously required multiple submissions.
Fintechs and other service providers, which rely heavily on identity verification, are expected to benefit from quicker KYC processes and smoother access to government-backed data verification systems.
NGDX is a core part of Nigeria’s broader Digital Public Infrastructure strategy, designed to create interoperable and secure digital systems for public services. Real-time data exchange, secure APIs for identity verification, and access to anonymised data for innovation are central to its architecture.
The initiative adheres to GDPR-aligned standards, including encryption, authentication, incident response, and audit trails. Accessibility features such as screen readers, digital braille, and sign language support are also included, ensuring inclusivity across the system.
The European Union, through its Global Gateway initiative, is backing the project. EU partners, including Finland, Estonia, Germany, and France, attended the Abuja workshop, sharing expertise on data governance and interoperability.
Estonia, recognised for its advanced e-Government framework, is advising Nigeria on secure digital identity models and cross-agency data sharing.
If fully implemented, NGDX could transform the citizen-government experience, moving from long queues and repeated data submissions to a seamless digital interface.
In opening public data to innovation, it also offers opportunities for startups and enterprises to tackle challenges in healthcare, agriculture, fintech, and education technology, potentially bolstering service delivery across Nigeria.
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