NITDA and CBN Partner to Advance Nigeria’s Digital Sovereignty

Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)  is strengthening its collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)  to advance the country’s digital sovereignty through the implementation of the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative and data localisation.

The initiative aims to strengthen the security, resilience and control of Nigeria’s critical digital infrastructure, according to NITDA.

Speaking at an Executive Regulatory Dialogue held at Ibis Hotel in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos State, NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi emphasised the need to build national capacity to protect critical digital infrastructure, manage technological and geopolitical risks, and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of essential services.

Through its partnership with the CBN, NITDA is working to position the financial sector at the forefront of the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative. The collaboration will leverage Nigeria’s technology ecosystem and foster cooperation among financial institutions, data centre operators, telecommunications companies and technology providers.

The agency is also promoting an assurance framework based on recognised international certifications while exploring national certification options. These measures are intended to help ensure that cloud infrastructure deployed in Nigeria meets the country’s sovereign architecture requirements.

NITDA said its approach to digital sovereignty extends beyond infrastructure ownership. It also seeks to strengthen national resilience, encourage local innovation, mitigate external dependencies and give Nigerian institutions greater flexibility in selecting technologies and service providers that meet their needs.

The agency added that collaboration, standards development and the responsible deployment of digital technologies remain central to building a secure and resilient digital ecosystem that protects Nigeria’s strategic interests and supports economic growth.