Introduction
Policy development in Nigeria has often been marred by a significant disconnect between creation and execution, leaving gaps in effectiveness and impact. This is due to the fact that stakeholders are frequently sidelined during the policy lifecycle, resulting in frameworks that lack relevance and sustainability. Further compounding the issue is the absence of mechanisms to facilitate collaboration across federal, state, and community levels. This fragmentation calls for a solution that bridges the divide between policy intentions and actionable, inclusive outcomes.
DigitA, a leading Africa-focused firm specialising in policy formulation, advisory services, stakeholder engagement, project design, and execution, collaborated with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)- Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) Nigeria to create the Participatory Policy Implementation Framework (PPIF). The framework ensures that digital transformation policies in Nigeria reflect the people they aim to serve while aligning with global standards. As Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General/CEO of NITDA, aptly stated, “People-centered policies hold the potential to address pressing challenges, provided they are implemented through unified and collaborative efforts.” This is what the PPIF exemplifies.
Designing an Inclusive Policy Framework
The approach to designing the PPIF was rooted in inclusivity, transparency, and responsiveness. Using a stakeholder engagement strategy, stakeholders from governments, technology ecosystems, academia, civil society groups, and civil servants participated in focus group discussions at national and sub-national levels, sharing insights and recommendations for a truly participatory framework.
Stakeholder validation workshops were held in Lagos, bringing together representatives from the public and private sectors, civil society, academia, and international experts. Through breakout sessions and collaborative discussions, participants developed actionable recommendations to make the PPIF more inclusive. Key suggestions included establishing permanent advisory boards for ongoing stakeholder input, hosting regular policy co-creation forums, and leveraging academic research to enhance policy relevance and impact.
Further consultations were held in Kano, where focus group sessions engaged stakeholders from the state and surrounding areas. These sessions explored gaps in existing policies, such as the Nigeria Startup Act and the National Digital Literacy Framework, to ensure the PPIF avoided similar pitfalls. Feedback identified challenges such as poor communication between policymakers and stakeholders, a lack of training in policy analysis, and the underuse of digital tools for monitoring and evaluation. These insights were instrumental in refining the PPIF to address implementation challenges effectively.
Drawing Inspiration and Benchmarking
Local and international models were used to shape the PPIF. Domestically, the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA) and the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) demonstrated the potential of participatory approaches in enhancing policy outcomes. Internationally, Brazil’s Participatory Budgeting and Kenya’s Open Government Partnership (OGP) provided valuable lessons on policies based on transparency, trust, and alignment with local priorities.
Benchmarking these policies underscored the importance of inclusive governance structures and demonstrated how participatory processes could build public trust while ensuring policies remain adaptable to evolving needs.
A Model for Transformative and Inclusive Governance
The PPIF was finalised and formally handed over to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy for federal-level scaling. The Framework is set to transform governance in Nigeria by bridging the gap between intent and impact.
References
- Open Government Partnership. (n.d.). Kenya. Retrieved January 24, 2025, from https://www.opengovpartnership.org/members/kenya/
- National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). (2023). National Digital Literacy Framework. Retrieved from https://nitda.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DigitalLiteracy-Framework.pdf
- Nigeria Startup Act (n.d.). Retrieved from https://startup.gov.ng/
- Open Government Partnership (OGP). (n.d.). The participatory revolution: Four major PB transformations over time. Retrieved from https://www.opengovpartnership.org/stories/the-participatory-revolution-four-major-pb-transformations-over-time/