The Dataphyte Foundation, in collaboration with the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in Nigeria, hosted a high-level Stakeholder Consultative Meeting on Public Sector Efficiency, themed “Advancing Data Interoperability for Citizen Participation and Inclusive Governance,” on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
The event convened participants from civil society organisations, government agencies, and the technology ecosystem to explore how data interoperability can drive improved service delivery, enhance citizen engagement, and foster inclusive governance across Nigeria.
Nigeria faces significant challenges in public sector transparency and accountability, with an estimated $550 billion lost to corruption, much of it linked to inefficient systems and opaque procurement processes. While reforms such as the Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO) and the Beneficial Ownership Register mark significant progress, challenges remain in terms of data harmonisation, citizen access, and practical inter-agency integration.
To bridge these gaps, enhancing data interoperability is essential, as this enables diverse data systems and institutions across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to seamlessly connect, exchange, and utilise information.
As part of Dataphyte’s commitment to the Open Government principles and role as co-chair of the Technology and Innovation Working Group of the Open Government Partnership, the Dataphyte Foundation convened a stakeholder consultative meeting to explore how government can improve service delivery through effective data interoperability
During his keynote address by Mr. Soji Apampa, CEO of Integrity Organisation Limited, emphasised that effective service delivery requires joined-up activity, a harmonised system where different sectors and agencies work collaboratively. However, he questioned whether Nigeria’s current systems even understand the importance of data interoperability.
Mr Apampa clarified that data interoperability is not merely an information technology (IT) issue; it is fundamentally about trust, governance, and coordination. Without these foundational elements, technical solutions alone cannot fix broken systems.
Citing international examples, Mr. Apampa referenced India, where students enroll and access educational records using a single digital ID. By making its systems interoperable, India has reportedly saved over $20 billion by eliminating ghost beneficiaries from its social service programs. This, he suggested, demonstrates the transformative power of interoperability when done right.
The event featured three thematic plenary sessions designed to dissect discussions and generate policy recommendations and actionable insights from stakeholders for improving data governance and interoperability in Nigeria.
The first plenary session focused on the transformative potential of interoperable financial data systems in enhancing fiscal transparency and strengthening resource governance. Building on this theme of data-driven reform, the second session addressed the challenges posed by fragmented justice data systems, particularly their impacts on marginalised communities. The third plenary expanded the conversation further, examining how integrated social data systems can power next-generation governance tools and enable more inclusive and effective service delivery.
During the meeting, the Dataphyte Foundation presented findings from its baseline research on the state of digital public infrastructure in Nigeria. The report, titled “Assessing the Current State of Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructures,” evaluates the development and adoption of digital systems in public service delivery. It explores the timeline, the extent of infrastructure integration, and the policy frameworks the government has implemented to shape the country’s digital landscape.
To consolidate stakeholders' recommendations and translate them into actionable insights, the stakeholder meeting featured a strategic dialogue focused on shaping Nigeria’s NAP IV commitment on Digital Governance.
This session, moderated by Uchenna Arisukwu, the Civil Society Advisor for the Open Government Partnership, OGP Nigeria, focused on stakeholder-led recommendations for Nigeria’s National Action Plan IV, specifically on digital governance. Stakeholders proposed strategic priorities, including the adoption of open data standards, creation of interoperability policies across MDAs, and investment in digital public infrastructure that enables collaboration between federal, state, and non-state actors.
The meeting provided a collaborative forum for cross-sectoral dialogue and innovation, reinforcing the centrality of interoperable data systems in achieving inclusive governance. Action points from the plenary and strategy sessions will inform Dataphyte’s ongoing work with stakeholders on digital governance, transparency, and civic participation.
