Looking at e-Nigeria’s current state, it seems like there’s a lot of potential waiting to be tapped into. With a Telecommunication Infrastructure Index (TII) and Human Capital Index (HCI) both classified as middle, alongside a high Online Service Index (OSI), e-Nigeria finds itself in a unique position.
What this suggests is that e-Nigeria could greatly benefit from investments in both telecommunication infrastructure and human capital development. Strengthening these aspects would not only enhance connectivity but also empower citizens with the necessary skills to fully participate in the digital economy.
According to the latest available UN data, e-Nigeria is ranked 140th in e-government and 117th in e-participation. This suggests a stable position but without significant progress or decline in recent years. While maintaining consistency is important, I believe there’s also a need for proactive measures to push the country’s digital agenda forward.
Internet connectivity in e-Nigeria
When it comes to internet connectivity in e-Nigeria, I believe there are both significant strides and ongoing challenges that warrant attention.
At the start of 2024, Nigeria boasted 103.0 million internet users (according to DataReportal), marking an increase from 35% just two years prior (ITU data of 2022). This surge reflects a growing trend towards digitalization in the country, but there’s still much ground to cover.
Despite this growth, a significant portion of the population—123.4 million people—remained offline at the beginning of 2024. This highlights the need for continued efforts to expand internet access and bridge the digital divide. Meanwhile, on the mobile front, Nigeria sees high connectivity, with 205.4 million cellular mobile connections active in early 2024 (equivalent to nearly 91% of the total population.)
However, infrastructural challenges, such as unreliable access to electricity, pose significant barriers to consistent internet access and speed. Addressing these infrastructural gaps should be a priority for enhancing digital connectivity nationwide. According to some studies, any digital government is dependent on access to electricity.
One positive aspect is the increasing affordability of data services for mobile subscribers, which has contributed to greater internet access. Nigeria’s ranking of 19th out of 72 low- and middle-income nations in the Alliance for Affordable Internet’s 2021 Affordability Report reflects commendable progress in implementing policies to make internet services more accessible to its citizens.
Looking ahead, the government’s new National Broadband Plan 2020–25 (NBP) aims to expand broadband penetration to 70% by 2025 (replacing the previous plan from 2013–18.)
Repeated biometric enrollment
Ensuring a reliable digital identity is essential for any nation aspiring to build a robust digital economy. This begins with a single government database to ensure that individuals are recognized consistently across all systems. Last October (2023), Nigeria’s Minister of the Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, expressed the government’s intention to streamline identity data and consolidate biometrics into a single government database. This move aims to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of digital transactions.
Repeated biometric enrollment for various purposes such as the National Identification Number (NIN), Bank Verification Number (BVN), SIM registration, voter’s cards, and passports has led to widespread frustration among Nigerians.
Truth be told…this redundancy not only increases program costs but also fails to deliver the intended benefits efficiently. But, the proposed harmonization of identity data could alleviate these challenges by reducing duplication and enhancing the effectiveness of identity verification processes.
It’s worth noting that Nigeria has shown interest in integrating the Modula Open Source Identity (MOSIP) with its digital ID system. This integration could further streamline identity management processes and improve the overall efficiency of digital service delivery.
What I like most about this initiative is its potential to simplify and optimize identity management systems in e-Nigeria. By consolidating biometric data into a single database, the government aims to streamline processes, reduce costs, and enhance the user experience for citizens engaging in digital transactions.
However, I believe it’s important for the government to ensure that privacy and security measures are robustly implemented throughout the harmonization process. Protecting citizens’ personal data is extremely important in building trust and confidence in the digital ID system.
Final thoughts
The efforts made so far in e-Nigeria are commendable, and there are definitely achievements to be proud of. However, what excites me the most is the untapped potential that still exists. There’s so much more that can be achieved with the right interventions and a forward-thinking approach. One thing that stands out to me is the abundance of young talent in the country. With such a large population of young people eager to learn and innovate, Nigeria has a valuable resource that it can leverage to drive its digital evolution forward.
Sources:
https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2024-nigeria
https://freedomhouse.org/country/nigeria/freedom-net/2023
https://publicadministration.un.org/egovkb/en-us/Data/Country-Information/id/125-Nigeria
