E-Business
NITDA @ Layer3 Cloud Webinar, Says Data is New Oil

Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director general of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has revealed that cloud computing has continued to transform the design and deployment of data centers across the globe.
Abdullahi stated that there is need to seek ways to drive more infrastructural investments in our data hosting services, especially cloud infrastructure, for the success of our digital transformation journey, and our economic growth and prosperity.
He made this known while delivering his paper on “Data Localization and its benefits to the Nigerian Economy” at Layer3 cloud webinar series with the theme: “The Future of African Cloud”.
“Data is the “new oil” and the lifeblood of today’s global digital economy. As such, economic value increasingly shifts to data in the digital economy.
Report by the International Data Corporation (IDC), the global datasphere will grow from 45 zettabytes in 2019 to over 175 zettabytes by 2025, which indicates the phenomenal speed at which the proliferation of data across our digital world is accelerating and underscores the significance of data and why adequate measures must be taken on where and how data is stored and processed, to unlock its potential value and ensure privacy and security”.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) as the apex IT regulator in Nigeria, issued the Nigeria Cloud Computing Policy (NCCP) in August 2019.
It is the first policy direction concerning cloud technology adoption in Nigeria, and a critical step to drive greater integration of cloud services in the public sector, promote a better approach to infrastructural investments and efficient IT deployment of the goals of the NCCP is to ensure 30% increase in adoption of Cloud Computing by 2024 among Federal Public Institutions (FPIs) and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), providing digital-enabled services to the government, as well as 35% growth in Cloud Computing investments, he said.
Mallam Abdullahi said that the NCCP essentially provides a migration framework for the public sector to adopt cloud services while ensuring a proper balance between local content requirements, privacy, security, and intellectual property of national data.
The Guidelines for Nigerian Content Development in ICT of NITDA provides for the hosting of all sovereign data within Nigeria. This is aimed at driving the required investments and building capacities for indigenous data and information management services. As a result, the Nigerian economy would make significant gains through the creation of jobs and a reduction in capital flight due to the adoption of foreign cloud services.
He further revealed that “The efforts of NITDA on the localization of government data have yielded far-reaching results, with over 90% of Federal Government data hitherto hosted externally now repatriated to Nigeria. Substantial data assets belonging to major Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) such as the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration hosting over 40 million and 95 million subscribers’ data respectively, are now hosted within the country. Other databases hosted locally include: the National Identity Number (NIN), the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS), the Government Integrated and Financial Information Management System (GIFMIS), the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), as well as the Treasury Single Account (TSA)”.
“The localization of these important national data assets will not only promote the development and deployment of robust and scalable data center infrastructure in Nigeria, it will further enable our burgeoning technology innovation companies to harness the big data to develop cutting edge innovative solutions that will provide insights for policy planning and development, while also creating a more efficient and effective public sector for better implementation of government’s developmental policies and programs”. the Director General spoke through Dr Aminu Lawal, special assistant on Digital Transformation.
E-Business
CAC, NIBSS Unveil Platform for Data Access to Private Firms

Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in partnership with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has unveiled a new Application Programming Interface (API) integration system to allow private firms access company data from the Commission’s database.
Hussaini Ishaq Magaji (SAN), registrar general of CAC, who spoke in Abuja at the unveiling said the system would give selected private organizations access to CAC services through technology-based companies, called “super agents.”
“This is a practical step to show that the Commission is committed to meeting the expectations of our customers,” he said.
Magaji explained that the integration allows the agents to retrieve data from the CAC database for use in specific client requests, outside the standard services provided by the Commission.
“Before now, only a few government agencies had this integration, especially those involved in investigations, anti-money laundering, and terrorism financing. Now, private companies that meet the criteria can also access it,” he said.
He said the system complies with the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023, and information such as residential addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth may be restricted.
“This is a call to law firms and companies with the right technology. We’ve started with NIPS because of their credibility. Embassies and banks can now authenticate company records directly through them.”
“There are prescribed fees. We already collect them on our portal, and now customers can also pay through these agents,” he explained.
He named NIPS, MoneyPoint, and OPE as some of the companies involved.
“OPE and MoneyPoint handle only registrations. But NIPS has moved further into validation and verification,” he said.
Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo, executive director at NIBSS, who represented Premier Oiwoh, managing director, said the service allows secure and efficient data verification.
“This is the result of years of effort to connect our systems with CAC. It will help users verify data within the limits of data protection laws,” she said.
She said the move is a way to lower costs and promote interoperability across the financial sector.
E-Business
FG Launches Online Citizenship, Business Management Platform

Ministry of Interior has announced the launch of a new Online Citizenship and Business Management Platform in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
A statement signed by Dr Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary, Ministry of Interior’s said the initiative forms a key part of its ongoing reforms aimed at promoting transparency, enhancing operational efficiency, and significantly improving service delivery to the public.
The new digital platform is designed to streamline the application and processing of citizenship and business-related services, ensuring faster turnaround times and improved user experience.
The platform allows users to apply for and manage business permits, ensuring that both local and foreign businesses operate legally in Nigeria.
It includes an Expatriate Quota System to manage work permits for foreign employees, helping companies hire skilled workers while complying with Nigeria’s immigration laws.
The Citizenship Administration and Management System provides a streamlined online process for applying, tracking, and managing Nigerian citizenship applications and related services.
Members of the public, corporate entities, and other stakeholders are expected to access the platform through the ministry’s website: https://interior.gov.ng , Direct Portal Access: https://candb.interior.gov.ng , or contact candb-support@interior.gov.ng for support and inquiries.
“The Ministry of Interior remains committed to establishing a more efficient, transparent, and secure framework for citizenship administration, while continuously enhancing service delivery through digital transformation,” the statement read in part.
E-Business
NITDA, CISCO Empower Youth with Digital Skills

Fifty selected young unemployed Nigerians have completed a four-week intensive digital skills bootcamp under the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, gaining practical training in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and IT Essentials.
The programme, a collaborative effort between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Cisco, was hosted at NITDA’s South West Zonal Office in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Speaking on behalf of the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa , the Head of the South West Zonal Office, Mrs. Chioma Okee-Agugwo, described the initiative as a vital component of Nigeria’s digital future. “This is not just a closing ceremony. It is the launchpad for new journeys—anchored in digital knowledge and powered by innovation,” she remarked.
According to the Director General, the initiative is rooted in NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) and reflects key focus areas including Digital Literacy, Emerging Technologies, and Youth Empowerment. It also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to accelerate economic diversification through digitisation, innovation, and skills development.
Inuwa noted that the DL4ALL initiative forms part of Nigeria’s broader commitment to digital inclusion—ensuring that no one is left behind in the evolving digital economy. It also supports the ambitious goal of achieving 70% digital literacy by 2027, championed by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. This national vision aims to equip millions of Nigerians with the skills required to thrive in a tech-driven world.
He further emphasized the importance of empowering youth with globally relevant skills. “They are no longer just consumers of technology. They are creators, innovators, and future employers,” he said.
The NITDA boss explained that throughout the bootcamp, participants engaged in hands-on learning experiences designed to build both technical proficiency and digital leadership capabilities.
“This is only the beginning,” he stated. “Through our zonal strategy, we are bringing innovation closer to local communities. This is how we democratise access and unlock Nigeria’s full digital potential.”
Inuwa expressed appreciation to Cisco for delivering high-impact training and called on stakeholders to continue investing in partnerships, people, and platforms that drive digital inclusion.
He asserted that the newly certified participants are now equipped to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s digital economy—armed with the skills to build solutions, secure infrastructure, and launch tech ventures that solve real-world problems.
At the end of the bootcamp, participants demonstrated their knowledge through impressive presentations that showcased the integration of skills acquired across Data Science, AI, and IT Essentials. Many spoke passionately about how the programme had expanded their technical competence and sparked a drive to create job opportunities—not only for themselves but also for others—as entrepreneurs and digital solution providers in their communities.
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