The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has perfected a strategic collaboration with the Ministry of Communication Innovation and Digital Economy (MoCIDE) to advance the fight against corruption through the utilisation of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

The collaboration was sealed during a courtesy call by ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN on the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijjani yesterday.

Recognising the pivotal role that DPI plays in combating corruption and fostering transparency and accountability in the public sector, ICPC is committed to leveraging this innovative technology to achieve its anti-corruption objectives.

The ICPC Chairman said “through our partnership with MoCIDE, ICPC will harness the power of DPI to enhance public registries and create an environment where corruption finds no refuge. By leveraging state-of-the-art digital solutions, we aim to establish a robust framework that leaves no room for the misappropriation of public funds or the concealment of ill-gotten gains”.

“Furthermore, in accordance with our statutory mandate outlined in Section 6, ICPC will provide expert guidance and oversight to ensure the effective implementation of DPI-based solutions to eradicate corruption and corrupt practices at every level of government. We remain steadfast in our commitment to driving systemic reforms that promote integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct across all sectors,” he added.

Dr. Aliyu further said, “the impact of this collaboration extends far beyond the realm of anti-corruption efforts. By strengthening transparency and accountability in the public sector through DPI, we anticipate significant improvements in the ease of doing business, economic growth, and job creation. Moreover, by fortifying the integrity of digital systems, we enhance Nigeria’s reputation on the global stage, attracting foreign investment and fostering sustainable development.

“As Nigeria’s lead anti-corruption agency, ICPC is fully dedicated to the pursuit of a corruption-free society. We call upon all stakeholders – government institutions, private sector organisationd, civil society groups, and citizens – to join us in this noble endeavor. Together, we can build a future where integrity, transparency, and accountability serve as the cornerstones of our nation’s progress.”

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As technology advances rapidly and digital transformations continue, a Nation striving to keep pace needs an innovative, efficient, and strategic approach. This sentiment is echoed in the collaboration between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), led by Director-General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), headed by Director-General Engr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote. The strategic partnership forged in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aims to usher in a new era of secure and seamless digital interactions across the nation, and also the safe sharing of data between various industries.

At the heart of this collaboration lies a concerted effort to address longstanding challenges in digital identity management, payment ecosystems, and data exchange capabilities. Nigeria, like many nations around the globe, faces complex hurdles in ensuring the security, reliability, and interoperability of digital systems crucial for security, economic growth, and social development.

Tech Digest reports that the integration of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) emerges as a cornerstone of this transformative agenda. PKI, with its robust encryption, authentication, and digital signature mechanisms, promises to fortify data security and enable trustworthy digital interactions. Meanwhile, DPI stacks are envisioned as foundational frameworks that facilitate secure and seamless data exchange and also strengthen a modernised digital ecosystem.

The adoption of PKI and DPI signifies the Nation’s commitment to enhancing citizen services, fostering innovation, and unlocking economic potential in the digital realm. As digital interactions become increasingly complex, the importance of robust frameworks that can protect sensitive information while maintaining accessibility and efficiency cannot be overstated.

As PKI will serve as a sophisticated system designed to secure and authenticate digital communications and transactions within Nigeria’s evolving digital landscape, at its core, it relies on asymmetric cryptography, where entities possess a pair of keys: a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. This setup ensures secure data transmission and identity verification, crucial for fostering trust and security in digital interactions across sectors.

Additionally, PKI facilitates digital signatures, enabling entities to sign data with their private keys, allowing recipients to verify the sender’s identity and ensure data integrity. PKI’s encryption technique plays a crucial role in ensuring data confidentiality and integrity. By encrypting data using the recipient’s public key, only the corresponding private key holder can decrypt and access the information, safeguarding sensitive data in transit and at rest.

It’s similar to having a box with two keys: a public key and a private key. The public key is shared openly, like the key everyone knows for the box. Anyone can use the public key to lock messages or data intended for you, and only your private key, kept secret, can unlock them. It’s like sending a locked box that only you can open, even though anyone can lock it.

On the other hand, DPI will play a crucial role in facilitating secure, seamless, and interoperable data exchange within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, encompassing government, businesses, and citizens. At the heart of DPI is the concept of interoperability, ensuring that data can flow seamlessly between different applications, databases, and stakeholders while maintaining security, privacy, and data integrity standards.

DPI’s scope extends to enabling seamless data exchange, interoperability, and collaboration across sectors such as government services, businesses, healthcare, finance, education, and logistics. On the other end, PKI’s applications are primarily focused on securing digital identities, online transactions, communications, and sensitive data across various industries.

Examining these solution technologies alongside the current challenges in Nigeria’s digital landscape, it becomes clear that this is a timely and appropriate step forward. One of the critical issues it will address is the problem of Online Transaction Security. It has been a persistent challenge for both technology agencies and financial institutions in Nigeria over the past few years.

Over the past three years, Nigerian banking institutions have reportedly lost over N150 billion to online banking fraud. For a country striving for economic and technological growth, this is worrisome . However, by implementing DPI frameworks, financial institutions can offer robust online banking services, digital payment solutions, and secure communication channels for customers. End-to-end encryption protects sensitive financial data during transmission, reducing the risks of phishing attacks, identity theft, and payment fraud. This will also enhance user confidence in digital financial services and promote the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.

Furthermore, DPI facilitates regulatory compliance with financial data protection laws and international standards such as PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard). Secure data exchange protocols, audit trails, and access controls ensure that financial institutions adhere to privacy regulations, safeguard customer information, and prevent unauthorized access or data breaches.

Additionally, other than the digital economy bolstering, security-wise, DPI and PKI can significantly enhance interoperability between security agencies, leading to improved coordination, information sharing, and overall security measures. Firstly, DPI will provide a standardised framework and secure communication channels that allow different security agencies, such as law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and border control, to exchange information seamlessly while maintaining data confidentiality and integrity. This will ensure that relevant threat intelligence, criminal activities, and security alerts can be shared promptly and effectively among agencies, enabling proactive responses to security challenges.

Secondly, PKI will play a crucial role in establishing trusted digital identities and secure authentication techniques for authorised personnel within security agencies. Each individual’s digital identity is verified through digital certificates, ensuring that only authorised personnel have access to sensitive information and operational resources. This reduces the risk of unauthorised access, insider threats, and data breaches within security networks, enhancing overall cybersecurity posture.

Moreover, DPI and PKI frameworks will facilitate cross-agency collaboration in joint operations, investigations, and intelligence-gathering activities. Secure data exchange protocols, encrypted communication channels, and access controls enable real-time sharing of actionable intelligence and situational awareness across multiple security domains. This collaborative approach will enhance the agility and effectiveness of security responses to emerging threats, transnational crime, terrorism, and other security challenges that require coordinated efforts.

Also, the issue of identity theft and impersonation will be a thing of the past as DPI will play a crucial role in improving digital identity management practices in Nigeria. DPI frameworks, coupled with PKI technologies, will enable secure and reliable digital identities for individuals, businesses, and government entities. By issuing and managing digital certificates through trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs), DPI ensures the authenticity and integrity of digital identities, reducing the risks of identity theft and fraud in online interactions and communications.

Moreover, according to Tech Digest, a journal on Technology in Nigeria, DPI facilitates the seamless integration of digital identity systems across various sectors, such as healthcare, education, and finance. Interoperability standards and secure data exchange protocols enable entities to verify identities securely while complying with privacy regulations and user consent requirements. This enhances user experience, boosts confidence in digital services, and encourages widespread adoption of digital solutions.

It should be noted that regulatory compliance, standard adherence, and data privacy underscores a commitment to responsible digital governance and citizen trust. As PKI and DPI implementations unfold, ensuring transparency, accountability, and continuous monitoring of cybersecurity risks will be paramount to maintaining trust, mitigating threats, and adapting to evolving digital landscapes.

The collaborative efforts between NITDA and NIMC mark a significant stride towards fortifying Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and fostering a vibrant digital ecosystem. This strategic partnership centered on PKI and DPI signifies a shared commitment to leveraging technology for enhancing digital identity management, securing data exchange capabilities, and propelling innovation across diverse sectors of the economy.

The collaboration on PKI and DPI initiatives heralds a transformative era for Nigeria’s digital economy, security, and societal progress. By fostering collaborative partnerships, upholding regulatory compliance, and prioritising cybersecurity and privacy, Nigeria is poised to unlock unprecedented opportunities and inclusivity in its digital journey towards a prosperous and digitally empowered nation.

Shuaib S. Agaka, a Tech Journalist writes from PRNigeria Centre Kano

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To further strengthen the Nigeria cyberspace and enhance the digital trust as enshrined in the National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA) Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0, the Agency has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the National Identity Management Commission, (NIMC) on National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) with the aim of enhancing digital identity, payment ecosystem and secure seamless exchange of data in the country.

NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, made this known during a working visit to his counterpart, the NIMC Director General, Engr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote to discuss the various initiatives that centered around the building of DPI stacks for a secure and seamless data exchange and forming partnerships to transform the national identity system.

While emphasising that the collaboration will harness the potential of the technology innovation ecosystem, he maintained that the use of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) will also help to drive the Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.

He used the opportunity to provide insights into NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan stating that NITDA is evolving and that has informed the decision of the Agency to keep re-imagining itself.

He noted that the Agency recently re-crafted its vision and mission to reflect the current realities in the industry.

Inuwa further explained that the NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2024-2027) 2.0 is anchored on eight pillars which include; Fostering Digital Literacy and Cultivating Talents, Building a Robust Technology Research Ecosystem, Strengthening Policy Implementation and Legal Frameworks, Promoting Inclusive Access to Digital Infrastructure and Services, Enhancing Cybersecurity and Digital Trust, Nurturing an Innovative and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, Forging Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations, and Cultivating a Vibrant Organisational Culture with an Agile Workforce.

In her remarks, the NIMC’s Director General, expressed the enthusiasm of the Commission to collaborate with NITDA in advancing the digital economy sector stating that “no institutions can implement all its policies and programs in isolation, we need each other to achieve the set targets.”

Engr. Coker further informed the gathering that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a circular on data integration and harmonisation of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and on PKI for growth and development of the country.

The highlight of the meeting was the inauguration of a 12-man committee that is saddled with the responsibility of kick-starting and harmonising the initiatives and the committee is expected to deliver a comprehensive implementation report in the coming weeks.

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Nigeria is planning to host a workshop at the 17th Edition of the International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV). This is to further support DPI’s effective design and implementation by the Federal Government.

Interested researchers from the wider academic networks are called to submit papers tailored to the workshop’s theme “Designing and Implementing Scalable and Inclusive Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in African Context”.

The DPI-tailored paper should be submitted into the following tracks of the conference:
Track 1: Trust and Ethical Digital Governance for the World We Want.
Track 4: Digital Transformation and Innovation in the Public Sector.
Track 7: Future-ready Digital Workforce and Infrastructure Development.
Track 10: Public and Private Sector Governing Digital Economies; and
Track 11: Focus on the Global South Digital Transformation.

Sponsorship

The main author of the top three selected DPI-tailored papers will be sponsored to participate in the Special Workshop.
If your paper is accepted by ICEGOV, kindly notify NITDA by forwarding an acceptance notification by ICEGOV to llamid@nitda.gov.ng on or before 12 July 2024.

Special Dates

Paper Submission Deadline: 21 April 2024
ICEGOV Acceptance Notification: 10 July 2024
Winners’ Announcement Date: 15 July 2024

Background on ICEGOV

ICEGOV is an annual gathering of academia, governments, international organisations, civil society, and industry to share the latest insights and experiences in the theory and practice of Digital Governance. The United Nations University (UNU-EGOV) organises the international conference in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The ICEGOV2024 will take place in Pretoria, South Africa from the 1st to the 4th of October 2024 at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg with a main theme of “Trust and Ethical Digital Governance for the World We Want”.

Objectives

Specifically, the objective is to:

1. Deepen Nigeria’s position in global research in key technology areas (the top 25 percentile) as proposed in the FMCIDE strategic plan;
2. Provide wider local and global perspectives to critical concepts of implementing and accelerating digital governance;
3. Strengthen Nigerian research leadership in digital governance in the Global South; and
4. Enhance Nigeria’s standing in the global digital community.

Why is Nigeria Participating?

ICEGOV2024 presents a great platform for Nigeria to further strengthen its evidence of digital governance position by presenting well-researched and world-class papers from academia, industry and the government.

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