Nigeria Interoperable Digital Services and Skills Initiative
Nigeria has made significant investments in digitalisation over the past decade, developing systems for digital identity, payments, connectivity and e‑government services. However, fragmented platforms and limited interoperability still restrict the impact of digital public services. To address this structural challenge, HAUS is coordinating the Nigeria Interoperable Digital Services and Skills Initiative, implemented together with the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) under the EU‑funded Completing Nigeria Digital Economy Package. The project supports Nigeria in building the foundations for secure, interoperable and user‑centric digital public services.
Project Duration: 2026 – 2030
Budget: € 23 M
Funder: The European Union
Implementing Partners: HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management Ltd and Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV)
Main National Partners: Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA, Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC)
At the core of the initiative is the establishment of a national Data Exchange Layer (DXL). Rather than creating new stand‑alone platforms, the DXL enables trusted and standardised data sharing between existing government systems. Inspired by European experience – particularly the X‑Road model developed in Finland and Estonia – the approach allows institutions to exchange data securely without centralising or duplicating it. This creates the technical and governance backbone for integrated, life‑event‑based public services.
A key feature of the initiative is its strong link between infrastructure and people. Digital skills development and innovation ecosystems are supported in close cooperation with Nigeria’s national Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme. By strengthening both public‑sector capabilities and the wider digital talent pipeline, the project contributes to inclusive job creation, local ownership and a sustainable digital economy.
To ensure long‑term impact beyond individual pilots, the project supports the establishment of a Learning and Experience Center. The centre will function as a practical hub for learning‑by‑doing, onboarding new institutions, sharing knowledge and supporting continuous improvement of digital services. This helps anchor digital transformation within national institutions and reduces dependency on one‑off projects or external vendors.
