The Republic of Korea, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMCDE) and Galaxy Backbone (GBB), has conducted a knowledge exchange program on e-Government services through their grant aid agency, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). This collaboration aims to enhance the Nigerian Government Service Portal (GSP) and includes participation from Nigeria, Rwanda, and the Republic of Korea.
The event took place in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, and featured study visits and discussions on policies, strategies, and programs related to Rwanda’s digitalization experience.
During the six-day study visit, the Nigerian GSP team engaged in programs facilitated by KOICA, focusing on exchanging knowledge and experiences with Rwanda to enhance e-Government development.
The Nigerian delegation sought insights from Rwanda’s successful Irembo GSP, which serves as a prime example of GSP deployment.
The project, fully funded by the Korean Government through grant aid, aims to strengthen the execution of key initiatives of the National e-Government Master Plan, improve competencies for e-Government service delivery, expand the delivery of government digital services through the activation of the GSP on www.services.gov.ng, and create increased access for National Identity Number (NIN) enrolment through additional NIN enrolment centers.
During the visit, the GSP team identified key factors crucial for the successful implementation of an effective Government Service Portal. These factors include a strong governance structure that enforces policies at the highest level and maintains continuous engagement with stakeholders, including users (citizens and businesses) and service providers (government agencies).
A collaborative workshop between the Smart Africa Alliance and the Nigerian GSP team was among the significant highlights of the study visit.
Prof. Muhammed Bello Abubakar, Managing Director and CEO of Nigeria’s Galaxy Backbone, expressed gratitude to Mr. Minjae Kang, Deputy Country Director of KOICA, for their contributions to Nigeria’s e-Government development during the workshop.
“The success of the GSP hinges on hosting it on a national infrastructure to reach underserved areas and ensure system interoperability among various government agencies in Nigeria,” Prof. Muhammed Bello Abubakar said.
“The insights gained from the study visit in Rwanda will play a pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria’s ongoing digitization efforts, especially as the GSP achieves full functionality,” Prof. Abubakar added.
Representing the Country Director of KOICA Rwanda, Mr. Kim Kwonho, the Deputy Country Director, commended KOICA’s efforts in driving collaboration between Rwanda and Nigeria in the field of digital governance.
Mr. Kim Kwonho emphasized the importance of cooperative efforts and knowledge sharing among different countries through exchange programs.
“This study visit was made possible through the facilitation of Rwanda Cooperation in Kigali and Sangmyung University from the Republic of Korea,” he stated.
“The activation of Nigeria’s Government Service Portal, expected to be completed within 18 months, is the central focus of this project, enabling the efficient delivery of government digital services through a one-stop portal,” Mr. Kim Kwonho added.
The Nigerian GSP team consisted of representatives from nine government agencies, some of whom will contribute their digital services to the GSP once it becomes operational.
