Nigeria’s digital governance efforts have received a significant global boost following the country’s recognition at the 2025 Open Government Partnership (OGP) Global Summit in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) says the awards underscore Nigeria’s growing leadership in open, inclusive, and citizen-focused digital governance — and come with heightened responsibility to deliver measurable outcomes.
At the summit, Nigeria emerged as the overall global winner in the Digital Governance category, beating several countries for its use of technology, data, and policy frameworks to promote transparency, accountability, and citizen participation. The country also received a Regional Award for Open Digital Governance across Africa and the Middle East, positioning Nigeria as a reference point for digital reform in the Global South.
The awards and certificates were formally presented to NITDA’s leadership during a courtesy visit by an OGP delegation to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja earlier this week.
Speaking at the event, NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, described the recognition as a national achievement rather than an institutional one, emphasising the role of collaboration between government, civil society, and the private sector.
“This is not just about NITDA. It is a national recognition, and every recognition comes with responsibility,” Inuwa said. “If we fail to execute the commitments we have made, it will affect not only our local image but also Nigeria’s standing on the global stage.”
Digital governance as a national priority
The OGP Global Summit brought together more than 1,500 participants, including policymakers, government officials, and civil society leaders, to assess progress on open government reforms worldwide. Nigeria’s recognition was largely attributed to NITDA-led initiatives implemented in partnership with civil society organisations such as Dataphyte, which showcased inclusive and innovative digital governance models at the summit.
Inuwa linked the achievement to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that digital transformation, transparency, economic diversification, and efficient public service delivery are central to the administration’s policy direction.
According to him, embedding openness and accountability into digital systems is critical to rebuilding trust between citizens and government, while also strengthening institutions and improving governance outcomes.
“As we digitise public services, openness must be built into the system by design,” he said. “Digital transformation without accountability does not deliver value to citizens.”
Focus on execution and accountability
Beyond celebration, NITDA says attention is now shifting to implementation. Inuwa disclosed that the agency has begun internal reviews of Nigeria’s OGP commitments and has tasked its representatives with developing a clear execution roadmap in collaboration with stakeholders.
He proposed the creation of joint workstreams with OGP partners to support delivery, strengthen oversight, and ensure alignment with agreed timelines.
“We are humans. Oversight and collaboration help us stay focused,” he said. “With commitment, nothing is impossible, and I believe these goals are achievable.”
The Director-General also highlighted the importance of sustained engagement with civil society groups, development partners, and the private sector, describing the OGP platform as a catalyst for deeper multi-stakeholder collaboration within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Recognition raises expectations
Welcoming the OGP delegation, Inuwa said Nigeria’s global recognition raises expectations for tangible progress at home, particularly in areas such as digital inclusion, data transparency, and citizen participation.
He also expressed support for engaging political leadership, including the Honourable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, with a view to briefing President Tinubu on the achievement and its implications.
“It’s good to celebrate wins,” he said. “Sometimes we don’t realise that the little things we are doing are being noticed globally, to the extent of earning Nigeria this level of recognition.”
Civil society applauds collaboration
Earlier, the leader of the OGP delegation, Olusoji Apampa, attributed the awards to strong collaboration between government institutions and civil society organisations, noting that NITDA played a particularly critical role in advancing Nigeria’s digital governance commitments.
He expressed optimism that the recognition would inject fresh momentum into ongoing reforms and accelerate the practical implementation of open digital governance initiatives across the country.
Officials say the global recognition positions Nigeria as a model for citizen-centric digital governance, while also shifting the spotlight to delivery. As Nigeria moves from international acclaim to domestic execution, stakeholders agree that sustained collaboration, transparency, and accountability will determine whether the momentum translates into long-term impact.
