The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reiterated the urgent need for data harmonization across all levels of government to power. Nigeria’s digital identity system and improve evidence-based national planning.
Why Data Harmonization Is Urgent
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the National Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Co-ordination Committee in Abuja, Kashifu Inuwa, Director General of NITDA, highlighted the challenges posed by Nigeria’s fragmented data systems.
“Without harmonising our data, we cannot generate the insight we need for national development,” Inuwa said.
He emphasized that integrating databases, from birth registration to legal identity, will unlock smarter, more inclusive governance.
CRVS Reform and the Renewed Hope Agenda
Inuwa noted that the CRVS reform is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which prioritizes:
- Digital public infrastructure
- Efficient service delivery
- Data-driven policymaking
This reform aims to create a single, unified, and citizen-centric platform for civil registration, identity verification, and statistical reporting.
Role of NITDA in Driving Integration
NITDA has committed to:
- Providing standards and advisory support for digitizing civil registration processes
- Building digital infrastructure and governance frameworks
Supporting inter-agency collaboration between bodies such as:
- National Population Commission (NPC)
- National Identity Management Commission (NIMC)
- National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)
“We are committed to enabling the technology that will power seamless, integrated service delivery for all Nigerians,” said Inuwa.
The Digital Lifestyle Mandate
Inuwa also pointed out a major cultural shift:
“Digital has now become a lifestyle. Nobody wants to fill out paper forms or move from office to office. Everything must be digital, seamless, and secure.”
This comment reflects growing public expectations for government services to be user-friendly, digital-first.
What You Should Know
Despite frequent conversations around data harmonization in Nigeria, real progress has been slow. Multiple government institutions still **operate in silos, collecting overlapping data without centralized coordination. This delay has hindered efforts to build an effective national digital identity system.
- However, with NITDA stepping forward as a tech enabler, hopes are rising for a unified CRVS platform that supports:
- National planning
- Social welfare delivery
- Economic policy development
NITDA’s renewed push could be the turning point in Nigeria’s long-standing goal to achieve digital identity for all, laying the groundwork for a digitally inclusive future. Stakeholders will now be watching closely to see if harmonization efforts finally gain traction under this initiative.
