Reps Demand Unified National Database and Homegrown Digital Solutions to End Fragmented Data System

The House of Representatives has intensified its demand for a unified national data system and a decisive pivot toward indigenous technological development, warning that Nigeria’s fragmented information architecture is severely hampering effective governance and economic progress.

Ahmed Munir, Chairman of the House Committee on Trade and Investment, issued the charge today, Sunday, November 9, 2025, at a policy dialogue in Abuja, where he stressed that the nation’s progress hinges on the full adoption of digitization and the harmonisation of government data.

Munir pointed out that the existence of overlapping databases across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) has created confusion, complicated budget preparation, and undermined efficient service delivery to citizens.

End to Working in Silos

“We need to ensure that all our agencies are not working in silos,” Munir stated. “Every citizen’s data should be captured from birth to death in one national database. When we have a reliable, unified data system, it becomes easier to prepare accurate budgets and channel resources where they are most needed.”

The lawmaker cautioned that MDAs must immediately halt the practice of developing separate identity and data systems without alignment, describing this as a continuous waste of public funds and a barrier to national planning.

The Need for Indigenous Innovation

Beyond data harmonisation, the Committee Chairman emphasized the necessity of a fundamental shift towards homegrown digital solutions. He warned against the continuous reliance on imported models, which he said often fail to reflect Nigeria’s unique development realities.

“We should search for solutions from within. The innovation we need to transform our economy must start here, with Nigerians who understand the challenges and are willing to create solutions for them,” Munir argued. He noted that Nigeria possesses viable, working digital frameworks—such as those established by the banking sector and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)—which can be effectively scaled across all government institutions at the national level.

The renewed call by the House underscores the legislature’s commitment to creating the foundational technological framework required for Nigeria to compete in the global digital economy.