The House of Representatives has renewed its call for the creation of a unified national data system, emphasizing that Nigeria’s current fragmented identity and information frameworks are undermining governance, security, and economic development.
Lawmakers during plenary stressed the urgent need for integrated data management to enhance national planning, eliminate duplication across agencies, and promote digital efficiency.
According to members of the House Committee on Digital Economy and National Information Technology, the absence of a centralized database continues to hinder accurate population tracking, tax collection, and social welfare implementation.
The lawmakers also urged the Federal Government to embrace homegrown technological innovations, highlighting the need to empower local tech startups capable of delivering scalable digital infrastructure for governance and public services.
They noted that reliance on foreign solutions not only drains foreign exchange but also exposes sensitive national data to external vulnerabilities.
The House called on relevant ministries and agencies — including the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), National Population Commission (NPC), and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) — to collaborate toward achieving a secure, unified data ecosystem in line with Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.