Abuja: The European Union (EU) has announced its support for Nigeria by implementing the X-Road model of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), a system successfully utilized in Finland and Estonia. Mr. Gautier Mignot, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, made this announcement at the Nigeria GovTech Conference and Awards 2025, organized by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the conference, themed ‘Redefining Possibilities: Harnessing Emerging Technologies for Public Service Delivery and Socio-Economic Development,’ highlighted the benefits of X-Road. This open-source software framework acts as a secure digital infrastructure layer, facilitating real-time data exchange between different information systems. Mignot emphasized that the model ensures data protection while connecting all public sector systems, allowing users to securely manage tasks such as school registrations and insurance matters.
Furthermore, Mignot revealed that the EU is investing in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure by deploying 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables, enhancing digital literacy, developing skills, and supporting digital transformation centers. This initiative complements an initial investment of £8 million in grants and loans aimed at bolstering the Nigeria Digital Economy Initiative.
Dr. Dasuki Arabi, Director-General of BPSR, discussed the government’s efforts to enhance digitalization for improved efficiency. He mentioned that initiatives are underway to develop emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain. In collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission, BPSR has been integrating distributed ledger technologies to streamline operations and optimize resource allocation.
Arabi stressed the importance of investing in human capital, describing people as the true enablers of innovation. He announced a commitment to train over 500,000 public servants in digital literacy and emerging technologies, ensuring sustainable management and long-term impact.
Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening interoperability of government platforms and enhancing digital identity. Represented by Mrs. Esuabana Nko-Asanye, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Akume underscored the need for a conducive environment for digital governance. He reiterated the government’s focus on policy and legal frameworks that encourage data protection, private sector participation, and capacity building for public servants.
Akume concluded that digitizing government services would reduce living costs, enhance business ease, eliminate bottlenecks, and create a transparent environment that attracts investment.