In a decisive push toward data-driven policymaking, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has gathered key stakeholders to validate a comprehensive new framework designed to systematically measure, analyze, and maximize the impact of digital technologies on Nigeria’s rapidly evolving economy.

A Group photograph, of Representative of the Director General of NITDA , Researchers and committee.

The initiative officially kicked off at the Stakeholder Engagement and Validation Workshop on the Indicators and Measurement Framework for the National Research Study on the Impact of Digital Technologies on Nigeria’s Economy: Key Growth Indicators, Gaps and Future Outlook.

Hosted at the e-Government Training Centre of the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) in Abuja, the workshop assembled a diverse coalition of government institutions, regulatory bodies, academia, private sector leaders, development partners, and the research community.

Together, their mission is to finalize the architectural blueprint that will guide a nationwide assessment of Nigeria’s digital landscape.

Delivering the welcome address, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE represented by the Director Special Duties Unit Mr. Olawumi Oladejo, said building a globally competitive digital economy requires more than deploying technology, stressing that reliable evidence, trusted data and strong institutional collaboration are essential for sustainable digital transformation.

He observed that Nigeria has recorded remarkable progress in digital payments, broadband expansion, digital public services, innovation ecosystems and digital entrepreneurship.

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However, he noted that without a harmonised national measurement system, it remains difficult to accurately assess the impact of these investments, identify existing gaps and prioritise future interventions.

Inuwa explained that the National Research Study is designed to establish a credible evidence base for understanding how digital technologies contribute to economic growth, employment, innovation, financial inclusion, improved public service delivery and national competitiveness.

He added that the study would also establish a common national framework for measuring digital transformation across sectors and institutions.

He further noted that the initiative aligns with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), particularly its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s technology research ecosystem through data driven policymaking.

He called on stakeholders to actively contribute their expertise to ensure that the framework is technically sound, practically applicable, the best global accepted and aligned with global best practices.

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Also speaking during the opening ceremony, Dr. Saidu Mohammed Kumo, Chairman of the Technical Steering Committee and Director of Research and Development at NITDA, added that while the nation’s digital economy is expanding at an unprecedented pace, the capacity to systematically track its impact on productivity and social inclusion has lagged behind.

To bridge this gap, a multidisciplinary network of researchers hailing from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones collaborated with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to design a rigorous, statistically sound framework.

Dr. Kumo revealed that the framework evaluates three core analytical dimensions, which include digital infrastructure and access, digital capabilities and skills, and digital adoption and the enabling environment.

These dimensions are being configurationally applied across five strategic sectors: financial services, government services, e-commerce and digital trade, telecommunications, and e-health.

To turn these concepts into actionable data, the committee proposed 81 core indicators to evaluate how digital tools are changing Nigerian society and business.

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The workshop served as a vital crucible for stakeholders to stress-test these metrics, ensure they fit sector-specific realities, and eliminate any outstanding data gaps before launching the nationwide data collection phase.

In her goodwill message delivered on behalf of the Statistician General of the Federation, Mrs. Saadatu Hayatuddeen Auwal of the National Bureau of Statistics described digital technology as the engine driving today’s economy, stressing that accurate measurement remains essential to understanding and improving its contribution to national development.

She reaffirmed the Bureau’s commitment to supporting the initiative through technical collaboration and the production of timely, reliable and policy driven statistics.

Representing the Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs. Ezedozie Adaora Ifeyinwa, commended NITDA for recognising the health sector as one of the five pilot sectors in the study.

She highlighted the growing role of digital technologies including electronic health records, telemedicine and data driven disease surveillance in transforming healthcare delivery, while emphasising the need for consistent measurement of their impact on health outcomes and economic development.

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She also stressed the importance of addressing challenges such as fragmented health data, varying levels of digital maturity across healthcare institutions and data sensitivity, while reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to collaborating with NITDA and other stakeholders to strengthen data sharing and support a more integrated digital health ecosystem.

The workshop featured technical presentations on the draft Indicators and Measurement Framework across the five pilot sectors—E-Health and Digital Health, Financial Services, E-Commerce and Digital Trade, Telecommunications, and Government Services.

Participants critically reviewed the proposed indicators, examined sector specific methodologies and offered recommendations to strengthen the framework ahead of the nationwide data collection phase.

The workshop concluded with stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to supporting the development of an institutionalised national e-governance and digital economy measurement system that will provide credible evidence for policymaking, strengthen strategic planning, attract investment and position Nigeria as a globally competitive digital economy.

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Federal government has secured a fresh $208.3 million financing from the World Bank to strengthen Nigeria’s cash transfer programme targeted at poor and vulnerable households as the country continues to grapple with the economic impact of ongoing reforms.

President Bola Tinubu’

The new facility is expected to bolster the government’s social protection initiative by providing direct cash support to millions of low-income Nigerians affected by rising living costs following the removal of petrol subsidy and the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market.

The funding forms part of the World Bank-backed social safety net programme aimed at cushioning the impact of economic reforms while improving the country’s social protection system.

It is also expected to support efforts to enhance the National Social Register, strengthen payment systems and ensure that financial assistance reaches eligible beneficiaries more efficiently.

The latest financing adds to a growing list of World Bank-supported projects approved under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Since the administration assumed office in May 2023, Nigeria has secured more than $11.4 billion in World Bank loan approvals across key sectors, including power, agriculture, healthcare, education, digital infrastructure, financial inclusion and social protection.

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However, only part of the approved funding has been disbursed, with several projects still at various stages of implementation.

Government officials have maintained that expanding the cash transfer programme is essential to protecting vulnerable Nigerians from the short-term effects of economic reforms while laying the foundation for long-term economic stability.

However, the fresh borrowing has renewed concerns among economists and policy analysts over Nigeria’s rising debt burden and increasing dependence on external financing.

Critics have called for greater transparency in the utilisation of borrowed funds and improved monitoring of social intervention programmes to ensure that the intended beneficiaries receive the support.

According to data from the Debt Management Office (DMO), Nigeria’s total public debt stood at approximately ₦159.28 trillion as of December 31, 2025, with multilateral lenders, particularly the World Bank, accounting for a significant portion of the country’s external debt portfolio.

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Despite the concerns, analysts note that World Bank loans are generally concessional, offering lower interest rates and longer repayment periods than commercial loans.

They argue that the ultimate value of the new financing will depend on effective implementation, accountability and the successful delivery of cash support to vulnerable households across the country.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for allegedly failing to investigate claims that governors under the All Progressives Congress (APC) diverted N800 billion from public funds to finance President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026, was filed last week before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

SERAP is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus directing INEC to investigate the allegations and compel the commission to obtain full disclosure from the APC and the governors on the alleged campaign fund, including the identities of donors and the lawful sources of the funds.Campaigns & Elections.

The organisation is also seeking an order directing INEC to commence a formal review into compliance with Section 91 of the Electoral Act by political parties and candidates, particularly regarding the sources and scale of campaign financing in the current political cycle.

According to SERAP, the allegations raise serious concerns about political finance transparency, electoral integrity and Nigerians’ constitutional right to participate freely in governance.

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In the suit filed on its behalf by lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Kehinde Oyewumi, the organisation argued that the reported diversion of public funds for political purposes poses a significant threat to the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

It maintained that opaque political financing remains a major gateway for corruption and undermines public confidence in democratic institutions.

“The abuse of state resources for electoral advantage undermines democratic integrity and public trust. Fairness, transparency, and accountability in political or campaign finance are essential safeguards against corruption, state capture, and undue influence in democratic processes,” SERAP stated.

The organisation argued that Section 91 of the Electoral Act empowers INEC to regulate political donations, require disclosure of campaign contributions and enforce sanctions where donation limits are exceeded.

It noted that political parties found to have exceeded donation limits are liable to a fine of up to N10m and forfeiture of excess funds, while individuals who exceed the legal threshold face fines amounting to five times the excess contribution.

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SERAP further contended that the commission has constitutional and statutory obligations to ensure transparency in political financing and prevent the misuse of public resources for electoral advantage.

According to the group, allegations involving large-scale public funds and opaque financial arrangements fall squarely within INEC’s investigative and monitoring responsibilities under the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

The suit also cited Sections 13, 14(2)(c) and 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), arguing that they impose obligations on public institutions, including INEC, to safeguard democratic participation, prevent corruption and uphold constitutional principles.

SERAP further relied on international legal instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which it said require transparency in political financing and accountability in the management of public resources.

The organisation argued that any diversion of public funds for campaign purposes would amount to a violation of both domestic and international legal obligations and would undermine the principle of a level playing field in elections.

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No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.