Introduction

The astronomic growth of the ICT sector globally with attendant benefits has

NIGERIA
OPEN DATA POLICY
enabled governments all over the world to leverage on the sector to create
opportunities for economic growth , investment, jobs, and information sharing. In
Nigeria’s development Agenda the use of ICT as a veritable tool for Economic
recovery and growth is widely recognised. Arising from the digital revolution,
Countries across the globe have leveraged on Open Data to create value hence data
is now regarded as the new oil. Open data initiatives involve the use of technology
to provide access to non-sensitive public sector information in open machine
readable formats by default to all who need it.

Open data describes large datasets that governments at all levels release online and
free of charge for analysis by anyone for any purpose. Entrepreneurs may use open
data to
create
Federal Ministry of Communications

July 2018
new products and services, and citizens may use it to gain insight into the
government. A plethora of time saving and other useful applications have emerged
from open data feeds, including more accurate traffic information, real-time
arrival of public transportation, and information about crimes in neighborhoods

The history of Open Data globally is rooted in Freedom of Information Acts and
Open Government. Open Data has gained traction in the global scene due to a
number of factors including increased advocacy for good governance; increased
awareness by citizens of their rights and the emergence of Open Government
Partnership and its commitments. Other factors include the signing of the Open
Data Charter, the Digital revolution and the recognition of the economic benefits of
Open Data. The increased number of Government Applications, increased number
of Open Data Practitioners and companies, increased interest by Government
across the Global and increased activities in the area of Open Government and
Open Data including legislation all accounted for the increased interest in Open
Data.

In Nigeria, the right to information is entrenched in the Constitution but the

Freedom of Information Act of 2011 and the increase in the use of ICT, the work
of International Organizations such as World Bank and DFID promoted the
advancement of Open Data in Nigeria.

However the emergence of the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari and

enlisting of Nigeria into the Open Government partnership has provided further
enabling environment for Open Data. As a result , there are now many activities
going on in Nigeria in the Area of Open Data:

 Civil Society groups have increased

 Increased demand for transparency & accountability

1
  More Society aware youth & emergence of social media

 Increased access to ICT by Nigerians

 Increased effect of Globalization

 More data Companies emerging

 More Government activity in putting information and services online

 Emergence of Mobility and Data analytics

 Increased number of Government Applications

All these have necessitated a policy framework for Open Data implementation in
Nigeria .Open Data policy is a framework for management of non sensitive public
sector data assets as a national resource.

The objectives of the Open Data Policy are :

i. To Communicate Government information to public data as a national

resource that should be managed in the interest of Nigerians;

ii. To demonstrate the commitment, willingness and readiness of leadership

at the highest level in the Country to implement Open Data by default
and to provide enabling environment for its implementation;

iii. To mobilize Government MDAs for participation in Open Data and to

Open up Public Sector data;

iv. To provide direction and co-ordinate the implementation of Open Data in

the Government;

v. To support the growth and development of data driven governance and

decision making;

2
 vi. To promote the growth of ICT provided data industry.

Vision, Mission and objectives of the Nigeria Open Data Policy

5. The Vision of the Nigeria Open Data Policy is to manage Government
information as a national asset and opening up its data, where possible, as a public
good to advance government efficiency, improve accountability, and fuel private
sector innovation, scientific discovery, and economic growth.
. Having an open data policy would help to improve governance and support
implementation of the new Nigeria Freedom of Information Act (2001). Following
the passage of the FOI bill by the Federal Government of Nigeria, it is important to
establish a framework that supports the adoption of the Open Data initiative. ICT
and Open Data policy thrusts will focus on how certain data within the government
confines will be made freely available to the public, for viewing and republishing
without restrictions.
6. In line with the policy therefore, the goals of the Open Data policy are to :
i. create employment and reduce poverty
ii. attract investment to the economy
iii. release and share available government data assets for effective decision
making, policy formulation, implementation and evaluation as well as for
Research and Development
iv. foster inclusive development through youth participation in the ICT sector
v. promote efficient, effective and less costly public service delivery
vi. develop a sustainable indigenous software economy and products
7. The strategies envisaged for achieving the goals are to :
i. Ensure that a knowledge exchange platform is developed which allows MDA’s
to exchange experiences and ideas on open projects;

3
ii. Ensure that innovative applications that can provide insights into publicly
available data; and
iv. Coordinate the creation of a portal platform where all relevant data from
MDA’s are maintained and always available. regular workshops, conferences and
seminars are done in conjunction with civic society in order to educate government
practitioners on how to publish data online;
iii. Encourage the development of
Benefits of the Open data Policy
8. There is more than $3 trillion of potential additional economic benefit from
open data worldwide, according to a McKinsey report. Entrepreneurs and
innovators are constantly working on new and interesting ways to use the public,
free resource of open government data Data policy as a tenet of open government
drives economic growth, boosts entrepreneurship and improves productivity
through the opening up of Government data. In line with developments globally, it
is expected that faithful implementation of the open Data initiative will help
Nigeria in addressing a number of its developmental challenges including the
following:

i. Creation of opportunities for youth employment and empowerment

ii. Availability of data
iii. Reduction of cost of governance
vii. Attraction of foreign investment

The Open Data Ecosystem

This policy is part of the data ecosystem that is now fueled by a number of
developments including Open Government, smart cities, data analytics , e-
Government and , Open Data Advocacy .
4
Open Government

Open Government is a new multilateral initiative aimed at securing concrete

commitments from governments to promote transparency, increase civic
participation, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to make
government more open, effective, and accountable. Nigeria has recently enlisted
into the Open Government Partnership which promotes Open Government across
the globe.
Smart Cities

Smart cities are generally viewed as initiatives that use technology to connect
infrastructure such as transport, health, energy and water, generating data that can
be used for better services and better planning. Open data makes this information
available to everyone, from families to retailers, commuters to investors. Open data
allows everyone to understand and interact with our cities, to contribute to their
growth and development.

Mobility and Data Analytics

Mobility and Data Analytics will facilitate data sharing between agencies and
management of whole-of-government analytics projects. It will do that by
leveraging internal and external partnerships so that the right capabilities, tools and
technologies are applied. Mobility and data analytics projects work with data
from a variety of sources, including open data, to derive insights that support
strategic decision making, evidence based policy development and improved
service delivery.

e-Government

The Economic Recovery and Growth plan views the implementation of e-

Government as a major strategy for transforming Government. Digitization in
Government will contribute to providing enabling environment for open data.

5
Progress to date

In 2011, the Freedom of Information Act established Nigeria’s commitment to

opening government information, proactively and responsively, to the public.
Data.gov.ng has been developed as an initial catalogue of Open Data in the
Country. The Open Data Policy is being introduced to support simple and efficient
compliance with the Freedom Of Information Act and encourage the release of
high value datasets for use by industry and the community. The Policy aimed to
assist agencies in embedding open data principles in their operations. Data.gov.ng
now receives ---visits every month. The site is envisaged to contain a wide variety
of catalogue entries to provide access to a large no. of government datasets, which
will be published on agency portals. This approach allows open data to be
searched in a central location, but also made available alongside data on the same
subject – such as education, health or environment. Data.gov.ng will eventually
also be federated with open data portals from other jurisdictions such as state
Governments so that a search will provide links to datasets from states and Local
Governments. The Nigeria Open Data initiative will adopt an open access
licensing framework to support the release and reuse of public information. It will
also adopt the National Bureau of Statistics framework for standard data quality
reporting. The National Open Data Policy will drive the release of data, in open
formats, using automated processes for fast publication. There will be established,
an Open Data Rolling Release Schedule which will indicate agency targets to
improve the openness of their published data and to release new, high value
datasets.

PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTATION OF OPEN DATA IN NIGERIA

Progress in implementation of Open Data in Nigeria is demonstrated by the

emerging no of companies that now live on analyzing Government data . TA no of
6
states have not commenced their own open data initiatives and portals. There is
increased number of published data sets as well as increased awareness and
practice of Open data in Government. Apart from that, more Civil society
organisations and academic intstitutions are now engaged in Open Data and open
data related advocacy. There also more government Apps and spatial systems.

Information Management Framework

Information management under the Open Data Policy will be based on the Data
inter operability standards 2016 and Data protection Guidelines 2017 issued by the
National Information Technology Agency (NITDA) and other information
management frameworks applicable in nigeria .

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this policy are to assist Government agencies to: • release data
for use by the community, research, business and industry • accelerate the use of
data to derive new insights for better public services • embed open data into
business-as-usual • use data to inform the design of policy, programs and
procurement • support the use of data by the Nigeria Mobility and Data Analytics
Centre for research and evidence-based decision making • advance citizen
engagement with government and the work of government • support the Freedom
Of Information (FOI) Act 2011 and promote simple and efficient compliance with
the requirements set out in that Act.

DEFINITION OF OPEN DATA

This policy focuses on datasets as an aspect of information defined in the Freedom

Of Information Act 2011. A dataset is an identifiable collection of government

7
held information or data. Most commonly a dataset corresponds to the contents of
a single database table, or a single statistical data matrix. The term can also be used
to refer to the data in a collection of closely related tables. A dataset may comprise
a smaller grouping (or subset) of data which, though limited by some constraint or
feature type, is located physically within a larger dataset.

Data is open to the extent that its management, release and characteristics meet the
principles of openness outlined in this policy. Open data should be both technically
available and usable, and have licensing frameworks in place to facilitate its
release and use.

Open data is defined as data that can be freely used, reused and redistributed by
anyone - subject only, at most, to the requirement to attribute and share alike.

Government data is considered open if it is made public in a way that complies

with the principles below:

1. Complete

All public data is made available. Public data is data that is not subject to valid
privacy, security or privilege limitations.

2. Primary

Data is as collected at the source, with the highest possible level of granularity,
not in aggregate or modified forms.

3. Timely

Data is made available as quickly as necessary to preserve the value of the data.

4. Accessible

Data is available to the widest range of users for the widest range of purposes.

8
5. Machine processable

Data is reasonably structured to allow automated processing.

6. Non-discriminatory

Data is available to anyone, with no requirement of registration.

7. Non-proprietary

Data is available in a format over which no entity has exclusive control.

8. License-free

Data is not subject to any copyright, patent, trademark or trade secret regulation.
Reasonable privacy, security and privilege restrictions may be allowed

GOVERNMENT DATA

Government data is structured information that is created, collected, processed,

disseminated, or disposed of by or for the Federal government . For the purpose of
this policy Government data includes all data generated in the course of
Government business and all data sets arising from Government funded activities
and operations including data arising from Government funded studies, and
contracts.

Scope of Application

This policy applies to all Federal Government of Nigeria Ministries, Departments

and agencies including Statutory Bodies , shared Service Providers and State
Owned Corporations. The Policy is not mandatory for State Owned Corporations,
although it is recommended for adoption. Federal Government funded research
data must also be made open under this policy. Target audiences for this policy
include government agencies, non-government organisations (NGOs), academia,

9
industry (including ICT developers) and members of the public who are interested
in or have a specific use for government data.

Open Data Principles

Open data principles lead to more responsive and smarter government, and better
service delivery. To meet the obligations of this policy, agencies must manage data
as a strategic asset to be: • Open by default, protected where required • Prioritised,
discoverable and usable • Primary and timely • Well managed, trusted and
authoritative • Free where appropriate • Subject to public input.

POLICY COMMITMENTS

On June 18, 2013, President Obama and other G7 leaders endorsed the Open Data
Charter which has become a major pursuit of the Open Government Partnership..
The Open Data Charter sets out five strategic principles:

i. Open Data by Default – foster expectations that government data be

published openly while continuing to safeguard privacy;

ii. Quality and Quantity – release quality, timely and well-described open data;

iii. Useable by All – release as much data in as many open formats as possible;

iv. Releasing Data for Improved Governance – share expertise and be

transparent about data collection, standards and publishing processes; and

v. Releasing Data for Innovation – consult with users and empower future
generations of innovators

By joining the Open Government Partnsership Nigeria subscribes to the Open

Data Charter.

POLICY COMMITMENTS

10
The Federal Government commits to the following actions in concert with the
Open Data Charter and its principles:

1. Publish open data in a discoverable, machine-readable, useful formats. The

public can also get information about open government data from each Federal
Government Ministry, Department and Agency . Many Federal agencies will
develop websites at [department].gov/data to better explain the data assets they
create, manage and publish. All executive branch agencies are now required to
develop a machine-readable catalog of their public data at
[department].gov/data.json, such as www.Commtech.gov/data.json, allowing
simple software tools to automatically get updated information about the latest data
available and have access to the same information that Data.gov .ng collects and
publishes.

Even when government data assets are technically public and available online,
there can still be barriers to using and understanding them. The Federal
Government will improve the way it describes and publishes data sets by better
focusing on user needs. Specific actions include:

2. Federal Government will work with the public and civil society
organizations to prioritize open data sets for release . New data sets will be
prioritized for release based on public feedback. To make that feedback loop
possible, each agency will use online feedback mechanisms such as an email
address or an online platform to solicit input. The public can give feedback and
browse listed data sets that could potentially be made open but are not yet publicly
available for download at [department].gov/data. Publishing a list of public data
sets that include data that could be made public lets civil society, entrepreneurs,
researchers, and the general public more easily connect with the Federal

11
government employee responsible for a particular data set and explain why its
release should be prioritized.

3. Federal Government will support innovators and improve open data based
on feedback .

The Federal Government will make it simpler for entrepreneurs and innovators to
find, understand, and use open government data to develop new products, services,
and companies.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF MINISTRIES, DEPARTMENTS AND

AGENCIES (MDAs)

Open By Default and Protected where Applicable

Agencies will start from a position of data openness, favouring the release of data,
unless there is an overriding public interest legislation against disclosure. A
Rolling Release Schedule for agencies’ plans to publish open data will be made
available on Data.gov.ng. The Rolling Release Schedule targets improved formats
for data and identifies new high value datasets for release. Agencies must:

• Create and collect data in ways that support downstream processing and release •
Incorporate open data into project, program, service, system and policy design

• Make data available without reference to its potential end use by other parties

• Ensure they own all intellectual property rights in the dataset, or that they have a
sufficiently broad licence to permit its release

• Comply with Nigerian Government policies for information security and the
management of privacy for the individual

12
• Apply information labels and security classifications which indicate whether data
is protected, in line with the Government Information Classification, Labelling and
Handling Guidelines

• Ensure safeguards are in place to manage and assess the release of sensitive
datasets

• Apply managed methods to support the release of otherwise sensitive data such
as: redacting, consent, ethics approval, aggregating and third party brokerage
(mediator or integrator).

PRIORITISED , DISCOVERABLE AND USEABLE

High-value datasets will be prioritised for release, in line with demand from the
public and industry, as a result of stakeholder consultation, or where the release of
the datasets will contribute to better service delivery in Nigeria . Data will be in a
format that makes it easy to use, transform and reuse. Commonly accepted open
data standards, are published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to
enhance data usability. When procuring or upgrading systems according to the ICT
Investment Policy and Guidelines, agencies will consider the use of technologies
that enable data to be consumed by other systems, without the need for manual
intervention. Metadata allows datasets to be found, understood, controlled and
managed. It will be published with all datasets. It will define or describe content,
quality, format or structure of a dataset, the system, location and context in which
the dataset was produced, collected, processed or stored. Agencies must:

• Release data which supports a range of outcomes, including; social, enhanced

service delivery, agency core business, economic opportunity, generates
efficiencies or reduced costs, supports evidence based research or policy

• Prioritise the release of datasets in response to public requests

13
• Link datasets to Data .gov.ng for discoverability and availability

• Ensure datasets are technically open (machine readable)

• Apply creative commons licensing (default CC-BY) to facilitate the reuse of data,
making it legally open

• Apply the correct data standards to manage their data. See the Information
Management Framework

• Publish metadata with all datasets and the details of a contact person in their
agency. Data.gov.ng can assist with this and may be contacted through the contact
form on the site

• Assess the quality of their datasets prior to release with the Data Quality
Standard. The standard can be used to report whether datasets meet the above
requirements.

PRIMARY AND TIMELY

Data will be released as collected at the source, with a high level of granularity,
and not in aggregate or modified forms unless required to safeguard confidential or
personal data. Reuse will acknowledge the source and include the metadata.
Agencies must:

• Implement mechanisms that enable automated, ongoing or periodic regular

release of data, without the need for manual intervention

• Publish live, real-time feeds where it enhances the utility of the dataset

• Include timestamps or other information for users to identify the currency of the
data

• Make newer, replacement data available to users in a timely manner.

14
FREE WHERE APPROPRIATE

Access to open data will be free by default. The widespread use of data for
innovation will be encouraged to achieve the maximum value from the data for the
people of Nigeria , and to enhance transparency of government. Agencies must:

• Provide data free of charge

• Establish standard parameters for cost recovery (only for specialised data
services).

• Publish any fees for data use.

WELL MANAGED, TRUSTED AND AUTHORITATIVE

Users will be alerted to the quality and limitations of the data to ensure confidence
that it is trustworthy and authoritative. Data governance arrangements will be
established and maintained in accordance with Government’s information
management principles and the Data and Information Custodianship Policy.
Agencies must:

• Manage data in accordance with legislative and legal requirements, including

those for data security and protection of personal information, intellectual property,
business confidentiality and legal professional privilege

• Apply sound archival practices to preserve data.

SUBJECT TO PUBLIC INPUT

Agencies will engage with and are informed by the community, research sector and
industry on the design of new datasets and data portals, and in deciding what data
to publish and about publication practices. Agencies must:

15
• Provide data in a way that is relevant to the transaction being undertaken or
service being used

• Participate with activities across jurisdictions to share and integrate data at the
national level.

• Publish community and industry feedback about the data.

Implementation

This Policy is supported by an action plan to assist agencies in achieving open data
objectives. This Policy is maintained by the Federal Ministry of Communications.

16