President Tinubu
By Chidinma Nwaoji
Tinubu Declares Data Nigeria’s New Treasure, Orders MDAs to Champion Digital Governance
President Bola Tinubu has emphasized the strategic importance of data to Nigeria’s development, likening it to “the new oil” and calling for its effective management and responsible use across government institutions.
Speaking at the 2025 International Civil Service Conference in Abuja, the President directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to collect, secure, and release data in ways that create public value and support global comparisons. He stressed that refined and well-utilized data could significantly elevate Nigeria’s global standing.
The conference also marked the launch of the 1Government Cloud Academy, an initiative by Galaxy Backbone aimed at preparing civil servants for a fully digital, paperless public sector. According to the organizers, the academy is set to serve as a knowledge hub, helping bridge the digital skills gap within government offices and promoting inter-agency communication.
President Tinubu reiterated that data, unlike crude oil, becomes more valuable when refined and responsibly applied. He ordered that all data handling be conducted in line with the Nigerian Data Protection Act of 2023, and urged for international best practices to be upheld.
“We must allow our data to speak for Nigeria. Let’s publish credible, verified information locally and make it accessible globally. This will enhance our international credibility and foster development,” he stated.
He also highlighted the necessity of protecting Nigeria’s data sovereignty and privacy, emphasizing that data should be stored and managed within local and trusted allied data centres.
Mr. Wumi Oghoetuoma, Programme Director of the 1Government Cloud Initiative, highlighted the challenges of digital adoption in the public sector, noting that trust and understanding are crucial for the success of any digital tool.
“Many tools don’t fail because they’re ineffective, but because users lack trust or clarity on their usage,” he said, stressing the importance of communication and internal support.
The academy’s mission includes training ECM Project Managers across MDAs. These individuals will serve as “transformation champions,” guiding colleagues and easing the transition to digital workflows. The approach is designed to boost trust, improve user experience, and encourage wider adoption.
Oghoetuoma noted that basic issues—like unresolved network problems—are often misunderstood as system failures due to poor internal reporting. To address this, the academy will also offer specialized certifications for IT departments to promote quicker response times and stronger collaboration across teams.
He explained that the real challenge isn’t a lack of digital skill—since many civil servants already use smartphones and social media—but rather a need for mindset shifts, motivation, and continued guidance.
“Successful digital transformation is not just about technology. It depends on people and process. When people feel like they’re part of the change, not just observers, it works better,” he added.
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, praised Nigeria’s digital reforms, pointing out that the country is already setting an example for others to follow. She referenced recent milestones such as the Enterprise Content Management system, the introduction of the Performance Management System, and ServiceWise GPT—all of which align personal responsibilities with national goals.
Head of civil service of the federation Mrs Didi Esther Walson Jack
Also present at the event, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, commended the Nigerian government’s reform efforts under Tinubu. He described them as bold and necessary steps for long-term national development, while stressing the need for accountability and efficient service delivery.
