The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Benin Republic’s Agence des Systèmes d’Information et du Numérique (ASIN) have strengthened bilateral cooperation aimed at advancing digital transformation, digital public infrastructure, and innovation-driven governance across the region.
The renewed partnership was reaffirmed during a courtesy visit by the Beninese delegation to NITDA headquarters in Abuja, where both sides discussed strategies for deepening collaboration, sharing best practices, and accelerating digital development in West Africa.
Speaking during the engagement, NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, represented by the agency’s Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Aristotle Onumo, said regional collaboration remains vital to building resilient digital ecosystems capable of supporting sustainable economic growth in Africa.
He noted that NITDA has continued to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda through policies, standards, and strategic frameworks aimed at modernising governance and improving service delivery across public institutions.
According to him, the agency has developed key frameworks, including the Enterprise Governance Framework, Digital Transformation Framework, and Software Quality Assurance Framework, to guide Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in their digital transformation efforts.
“Our goal is to move government institutions beyond basic digitalisation to full digital transformation, and ultimately build an intelligent, data-driven government powered by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence,” he said.
Inuwa disclosed that since 2018, NITDA has reviewed government IT projects valued at over ₦1.5 trillion to ensure compliance, technical alignment, and value for money.
He said the initiative has helped the Federal Government save more than ₦300 billion by eliminating duplication, promoting shared services, and improving the success rate of digital projects across MDAs.
On digital public infrastructure, he explained that Nigeria has transitioned from fragmented agency-to-agency data exchanges to a more integrated and citizen-centred digital ecosystem through the Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX) platform.
According to him, the platform provided a federated and centralised framework for seamless data exchange among government institutions while preserving the autonomy of individual systems.
He added that the proposed e-Government and Digital Economy Bill would provide the legal framework needed to strengthen the platform and institutionalise digital collaboration across government institutions.
The NITDA DG also highlighted the agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) 2024–2027, which aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and prioritises digital literacy, research and development, cybersecurity, innovation, inclusive access, and strategic partnerships.
Earlier, ASIN’s Head of International Partnerships, Tildy Erlong, said the visit followed a recent Smart Africa workshop in Abuja and was aimed at strengthening institutional ties and learning from Nigeria’s digital transformation experience.
She described ASIN as the operational agency under Benin Republic’s digital ministry, responsible for implementing strategic digital development projects in collaboration with institutions such as the national identity agency, ANIP, and the cybersecurity agency, CENIN.
Erlong revealed that about 98 per cent of Benin Republic’s population, estimated at 13.6 million citizens, has been enrolled on the country’s digital identity platform.
She added that more than 60 government agencies and service institutions are connected through Benin’s XROAD interoperability platform, enabling the delivery of over 250 digital services to citizens.
According to her, Benin is also prioritising digital inclusion, open-source systems, and the deployment of artificial intelligence to improve service delivery in sectors including healthcare, education, and justice.
