Advancing AI-driven digital public infrastructure in Nigeria

Nigeria is undergoing rapid digital transformation, fueled by increasing internet penetration, mobile connectivity, and Fintech innovations. As of January 2025, internet users in Nigeria hit 136 million, placing Nigeria seventh on the global internet users ranking. The consistent growth in mobile subscriptions which has now risen to 224 million, reflects just how connected Nigerians have become. A lot of this is driven by the rise in smartphone usage, multiple device ownership and internet of things (iOT) proliferation. This steady trend indicates that Nigeria can be considered a leader in Africa’s digital revolution. 

As part of its efforts to build a thriving digital ecosystem, the Federal Government of Nigeria is rolling out digital public infrastructure (DPI) to enhance identity verification, streamline public services, and support data-driven policymaking. These initiatives are already driving significant improvements in government efficiency and service delivery. For example, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s NFIC 2.0 strategy highlights a strong correlation between enforcement of the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and National Identity Number (NIN) with the rise of financial inclusion in Nigeria, which increased from 56% in 2020 to 65% in 2023. With more individuals financially included and linked to these ID-based systems, social intervention programs – such as welfare payments, conditional cash transfers, and payroll systems – are becoming more effective. These systems have helped reduce ghost beneficiaries and leakages, while significantly improving accountability. 

However, to fully unlock the potential of DPI in Nigeria—especially for inclusive economic and social growth—the right technical and policy frameworks must be in place, and key enablers like artificial intelligence (AI) can further amplify it’s impact. AI can play a crucial role within DPI by enhancing efficiency, automating decision-making processes, and improving accessibility. In identity systems and digital payments, AI can power adaptive identity verification, transaction monitoring and fraud detection, providing inherent protection for potentially vulnerable citizens with knowledge gaps. In data exchange, AI can automate data classification, enable intelligent data sharing and balance openness with security.

With digital transformation accelerating across the country, Nigeria has reached a critical moment – one where concerted action today can help maximize the power of digital technology for the future.  

There are several key factors that, together, make now the right time to act: 

• Alignment with Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence and DPI Framework.  The recently launched National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and the Nigeria Digital Public Infrastructure Framework provide a unique opportunity for convergence point between AI and DPI. The DPI Framework highlights the three pillars of digital identity, payment systems and data exchange – all of which can be enhanced through AI enabled adaptive identity verification, fraud detection and insights. By exploring how  AI capabilities can be embedded into these three critical systems, Nigeria can demonstrate what a confluence of AI and DPI can look like in practice. Of course, it must be said that these actions should and must happen within legal and ethical safeguards that prioritize inclusivity. 

• Strengthening regional leadership in AI and digital governance. Nigeria is home to some of Africa’s most dynamic fintech and digital ecosystems.  The country has potential to set the benchmark for responsible AI adoptions and DPI-driven innovations across the continent. At the same time, it is important to proactively establish best practices in AI governance, interoperability and data sovereignty. This will in turn attract investment, foster cross-border collaboration, and drive inclusive digital transformation. 

Yet, to fully realize this potential, there are also two key persistent challenges that must be addressed: 

• Limited collaboration between government and private sector. Government-led DPI projects, such as digital identity systems and e-governance platforms, often operate independently of private sector innovations in fields such as fintech, health tech, telecommunications, and AI development. Many private sector actors struggle to integrate their solutions with government platforms due to inconsistent data-sharing policies, unclear regulatory frameworks, and a lack of standardized technical infrastructure. Without a clear coordinated approach, Nigeria risks duplicating efforts, creating inefficiencies, and missing opportunities for AI to enhance DPI implementation. 

• Inadequate knowledge-sharing platforms. Nigeria’s AI and DPI ecosystem in general lacks structured platforms for knowledge-sharing, making it difficult for innovators to connect with policymakers, funders, and industry leaders. Many AI startups and research institutions operate in isolation, with limited access to government decision-makers who set policies and regulations for DPI. Existing innovation hubs and accelerators primarily focus on early-stage support but do not bridge the gap between research, commercialization, and policy adoption. This disconnect prevents promising AI applications—such as smart agriculture solutions, automated public service delivery, and data-driven financial tools—from gaining the necessary backing to scale and integrate into Nigeria’s broader digital ecosystem. Without dedicated platforms for cross-sector collaboration, AI innovations risk remaining fragmented, underfunded, or misaligned with national digital transformation goals.

Together with Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB) and Data Science Nigeria (DSN), we are building a strong ecosystem to accelerate the adoption of AI and DPI by promoting collaboration, developing Public Private Partnership models for data sharing, and driving innovation through practical, impactful solutions.   

To achieve this, we are focusing on four key areas:  

1. Connecting AI innovators, policymakers, and private sector leaders to nurture a thriving partner ecosystem that collaborates on DPI-driven solutions.
2. Supporting the development of AI-assisted digital identity, registry, and data exchange solutions to improve governance and service delivery, helping scale AI applications in DPI. 
3. Facilitating discussions and capacity-building for responsible AI governance, ensuring that frameworks are inclusive, transparent, and aligned with Nigeria’s development priorities. 
4. Creating a structured platform where stakeholders can exchange insights, test innovations, and promote AI applications within DPI, driving knowledge-sharing and global best practices. 

This will in turn contribute to Nigeria’s ability to scale trusted and inclusive digital transformation in the years ahead. Strengthening AI within DPI will improve public sector efficiency, enable seamless data-sharing frameworks, and increase trust in digital services. This effort will also position Nigeria as a regional leader in responsible AI adoption, setting a model for the ethical and impactful integration of technology across Africa.

As Nigeria moves toward a quickly approaching digital future, our efforts today will be critical. Incorporating AI into DPI can empower policymakers with smarter governance tools, provide businesses with reliable data ecosystems, and allow innovators to scale impactful solutions. For Nigerians, this means more accessible digital services, better financial inclusion, and improved public sector efficiency that directly enhances daily life.

Given our extensive experience in building strong, long-term relationships with policymakers, development actors and civil society stakeholders across the digital development ecosystem, we are uniquely suited to drive forward this initiative to advance this initiative. Through continued efforts, such as data strategy development in Sierra Leone and targeted capacity building via the Africa Data Leadership Initiative (ADLI), we have consistently demonstrated our ability to understand the diverse needs and challenges of country stakeholders and provide tailored support that aligns with their objectives. 

We hope that these collaborative efforts help drive trusted, sustainable, and inclusive digital transformation in Nigeria, where AI strengthens public services, drives socio-economic growth, and enhances data-driven decision-making. Ultimately, this work lays the foundation for a digitally inclusive Nigeria, where technology is not just advancing, but actively working for the people it serves. 

For interest and further engagement, please contact Adeola Bojuwoye via abojuwoye@dial.global