Economy

Nigeria Digital Public Infrastructure Gains Strong Boost With EU Support

Published

1 year ago

August 30, 2025

Nigeria Digital Public Infrastructure gets a major boost as the EU backs secure, inclusive digital systems with €18 million to advance the NGDX platform

Nigeria Digital Public Infrastructure is set to receive a major boost as the Federal Government and the European Union intensify efforts to build secure and inclusive digital systems.

Also read: Nigeria Public Health Laws Under Review to Boost Data Sharing

The initiative, led by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy in partnership with the EU and Team Europe countries—Estonia, Finland, Germany, and France—was highlighted at a high-level roundtable on the Nigeria Data Exchange Platform (NGDX).

The conference convened government officials, regulators, lawmakers, industry leaders, and international partners to define the vision, governance, and technical framework for the NGDX.

This platform forms the third pillar of Nigeria’s DPI, complementing the National Identity System and the National Payments Infrastructure.

Minister of Communications, Dr. Bosun Tijani, called the NGDX central to Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.

“The next frontier is a trusted Data Exchange that enables secure data sharing while ensuring citizens enjoy better services with privacy, security, and accountability,” he said.

The platform will operate under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.

Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca, confirmed €18 million in funding to support Nigeria’s DPI.

He emphasized that digital public infrastructure is not just about technology—it drives inclusion, security, and economic growth while safeguarding citizens’ privacy.

Ongoing EU-backed projects like BRIDGE’s 90,000 km fibre-optic rollout and the 3MITT ICT skills programme for youth were also highlighted as part of the wider digital transition.

De Luca stressed that this roundtable represents a first step toward full EU support in establishing Nigeria’s secure and human-centric digital ecosystem.

Also read: PalmPay Youth Data Protection Training in Conjunction with FMYD Targets 1 Million Nigerians

The NGDX is expected to be fully functional by the end of 2025, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

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Economy

NRS Assures Taxpayers VAT Remains at 7.5% Amid Tax Reform Concerns

Published

9 hours ago

October 27, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

NRS VAT rate remains 7.5%, the agency says, while addressing concerns over bank deductions, loans and the implementation of Nigeria’s tax reforms

The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has assured taxpayers that Nigeria’s standard Value Added Tax (VAT) rate remains 7.5 per cent, while addressing concerns over the implementation of the country’s new tax reforms.

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The assurance was given by the Tax Administrator responsible for Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states, Samaila Abdullahi, during an NRS stakeholders’ engagement and tax reform sensitisation programme in Kano.

Abdullahi said concerns raised by individuals, traders, business owners and other stakeholders about the new tax laws were understandable, particularly questions relating to bank transactions, loans, family transfers, business income and the potential impact on small businesses.

He urged taxpayers to understand the reforms through the provisions of the law rather than rely on assumptions or misinformation.

According to him, the tax laws do not automatically authorise deductions from personal bank accounts.

He stressed that tax collection and recovery must follow the applicable legal provisions and procedures.

Abdullahi also clarified that money received as a loan should not automatically be classified as business income or profit, explaining that proper documentation is essential to establish the nature of a transaction.

“For instance, when a trader receives a loan of N500,000, the amount should not automatically be treated as N500,000 in sales or profit, provided the transaction is properly documented,” he said.

The NRS official’s comments were aimed at addressing public concerns about how the new tax framework would affect personal finances and business transactions.

He emphasised the importance of distinguishing between taxable business receipts and other funds, such as documented loans, when determining a taxpayer’s obligations.

The clarification comes amid heightened public interest in Nigeria’s tax reforms and questions about their implications for individuals, traders and small businesses.