The Federal Government is set to adopt a European-style model of digital governance as part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s public service delivery system.
The initiative follows the European Union’s commitment to support the country in deploying the X-Road system, a secure and open-source digital infrastructure used in countries such as Finland and Estonia to interconnect public institutions and streamline government services.
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, announced the partnership during the Nigeria GovTech Conference and Awards 2025, organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) in Abuja.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Friday after the event, which aligns with the government’s plan to fully digitise federal civil service operations by the end of 2025
Themed “Redefining Possibilities: Harnessing Emerging Technologies for Public Service Delivery and Socio-Economic Development,” the conference brought together policymakers, diplomats, and technology experts to explore how innovation can enhance governance and strengthen citizen trust.
Mignot explained that the X-Road platform allows seamless, secure, and real-time exchange of data between government agencies without compromising citizens’ privacy.
“The solution we are exploring is the X-Road digital public infrastructure, used in Estonia and Finland, which connects all public sector entities and users while protecting personal data,” he said.
He added that the model ensures data privacy, allowing users to control how their information is shared across institutions.
“Your data is not exposed beyond what you authorise. Whether it’s school registration, insurance, or vehicle inspection, the system ensures secure and transparent interaction between users and government services,” Mignot stated.
The ambassador revealed that the EU’s broader digital partnership with Nigeria includes the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of additional fibre-optic cables, digital transformation centres, and digital literacy programmes nationwide.
He also disclosed that the EU has provided an initial £8 million in grants and loans under the Nigeria Digital Economy Initiative — a programme designed to strengthen Nigeria’s data infrastructure, expand internet access, and promote inclusion in the digital economy.
The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dasuki Arabi, said Nigeria’s public sector has begun implementing digital reforms aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and accountability.
Arabi noted that the Bureau, in partnership with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), is already integrating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, process automation, and blockchain into government operations.
He added that these innovations would help eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and make government services faster, more transparent, and citizen-focus.
With the planned deployment of the X-Road system and EU-backed digital infrastructure projects, Nigeria moves closer to achieving a fully digital government ecosystem — one modeled after some of Europe’s most successful e-governance systems.
