Federal Government is working on a new technology that will help in the collection and management of citizens’ data in a more efficient manner.
 
The FG, through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), plans to put an end to multiple submissions of data by Nigerians through the deployment of the Nigerian Data Exchange Platform (NGDX).
 
Recall that Nigerians have submitted, repeatedly, the same personal information and biometrics across multiple government agencies, from NIN registration to driver’s licence, BVN, SIM card registration, and international passport applications.
 
Speaking at a stakeholders’ workshop on the NGDX in Abuja yesterday, NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, said the NGDX would serve as a unified and secure data exchange system for government institutions.
 
Inuwa said it meant citizens would no longer need to repeatedly hand over the same personal data each time they interact with an MDA. Instead, authorised agencies would be able to seamlessly verify and share records on the back end.
 
Inuwa added that the NGDX would go beyond convenience. By enabling the use of anonymised public data, it would create opportunities for startups and enterprises to innovate in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, fintech, and education technology.

Describing the NGDX as “essential digital infrastructure” comparable to the nationwide fibre optic rollout, Inuwa stressed that it was a critical piece of Nigeria’s digital economy.