Nigeria has once again captured the world’s attention with a landmark achievement in digital governance, securing two major international awards at the 2025 Open Government Partnership (OGP) Global Summit held in Spain. The recognition marks a historic moment for the country, underscoring its emergence as a global leader in technology-driven governance, transparency, and citizen engagement.
At the prestigious event, Nigeria won the Regional Award for Africa and the Middle East, a distinction that celebrates the nation’s unwavering dedication to advancing Open Digital Governance across the region. Beyond that, Nigeria went a step further by earning the coveted Global Thematic Award in Digital Governance, triumphing over 160 commitments submitted by 42 participating countries. This remarkable feat not only places Nigeria at the forefront of digital governance reform but also validates its long-term efforts to leverage technology in promoting openness, accountability, and inclusion in governance.
The winning initiatives were spearheaded by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in partnership with the civil society organisation Dataphyte. Together, they have built a model of collaboration between government institutions and civic actors — a partnership that has proven instrumental in driving Nigeria’s open data and transparency agenda. This synergy reflects a broader national vision to make governance more inclusive, participatory, and digitally enabled.
Under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, NITDA has been at the heart of Nigeria’s digital transformation journey. The agency’s policies and frameworks are designed not just to integrate technology into public service delivery but also to empower citizens through access to information, open data, and participatory platforms. By focusing on inclusiveness and innovation, NITDA has helped position Nigeria as a case study for how developing nations can use technology to strengthen governance and improve citizens’ trust in institutions.
The double honour received at the OGP Global Summit highlights the tangible results of these ongoing reforms. Nigeria’s achievements demonstrate how strategic governance frameworks and data-driven policies can transform public administration. From enhancing the efficiency of public services to improving access to government information, the country’s approach to digital governance exemplifies how openness and accountability can thrive in a digitally connected society.
One of the key elements that impressed the OGP panel was Nigeria’s strategic framework for digital transformation, which emphasizes transparency, accessibility, and inclusiveness. This framework ensures that citizens are not merely spectators but active participants in governance processes. The initiatives implemented by NITDA and Dataphyte have made it possible for Nigerians to access vital government data, monitor policy performance, and engage with decision-makers in meaningful ways.
Furthermore, the recognition is a reflection of Nigeria’s broader commitment to the principles of the Open Government Partnership, which promotes transparency, civic participation, and technological innovation as tools for deepening democracy. Since joining the OGP, Nigeria has made significant progress in embedding open data standards across ministries, departments, and agencies. The country has also implemented digital platforms that allow for better monitoring of public expenditures, service delivery, and citizen feedback mechanisms — all of which have contributed to enhancing trust between the government and the governed.
By winning these two prestigious awards, Nigeria has not only set a benchmark for other African countries but also demonstrated that sustained collaboration between the public and private sectors can yield impactful outcomes. The partnership model that led to this success represents a forward-thinking approach to governance — one where government agencies, civil society, and citizens work together to create policies that are inclusive, evidence-based, and transparent.
In his remarks following the announcement, representatives from NITDA highlighted that the awards serve as a motivation for Nigeria to continue refining its digital policies. They reaffirmed the country’s determination to pursue technology-driven solutions that address governance challenges, empower citizens, and strengthen institutions. This recognition, they noted, is not just a celebration of past achievements but also a call to sustain the momentum toward building a fully digitized and accountable government ecosystem.
For Dataphyte and other civil society partners, the global honour also validates the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in driving reform. Their data-centric approach has played a crucial role in ensuring that government policies are transparent, measurable, and responsive to citizens’ needs. Together with NITDA, they have created platforms that make public data accessible and actionable, thereby enabling journalists, researchers, and civic advocates to hold public officials accountable and foster informed public dialogue.
Ultimately, Nigeria’s recognition at the 2025 OGP Global Summit sends a powerful message to the world: digital transformation and open governance are not merely policy aspirations but achievable realities. The country’s success story illustrates how innovative leadership, citizen engagement, and strategic partnerships can redefine governance in the 21st century.
With these global honours, Nigeria has consolidated its standing as a continental powerhouse and an influential global voice in shaping the future of digital governance. The awards reaffirm the nation’s reputation as a trailblazer in promoting open data, transparency, and participatory democracy through technology. As Nigeria continues on this trajectory, its model is poised to inspire other nations seeking to harness digital innovation for better governance, inclusive development, and sustainable progress.
