Digital Social Registry: Nigeria’s New Oil for Inclusive Growth

By Dr. Gabriel Akinremi

For decades, our story has been told through the lens of crude oil. Our economy, our politics, and even our social fabric have been shaped by the fortunes and misfortunes of this single resource. Yet, as the world pivots toward knowledge economies, it is becoming increasingly clear that our most valuable asset is no longer beneath the ground, but in the data we collect, manage, and use to protect ordinary Nigerians.

The launch and expansion of Nigeria’s National Social Register (NSR), now evolving into a Digital Social Registry (DSR), marks a turning point in how we think about social protection and national development. This registry is not just a list of names; it is a digital infrastructure that can transform how government identifies, supports, and empowers vulnerable households. By linking millions of Nigerians to digital identity systems, the registry ensures that social programmes reach those who need them most, while reducing duplication, fraud, and inefficiency.

Nigeria faces a paradox. We are Africa’s largest economy, yet poverty remains stubbornly high. Millions of households struggle with food insecurity, limited access to healthcare, and inadequate education. Traditional approaches to social protection, often manual, fragmented, and opaque, have failed to deliver consistent results.

The DSR offers a new path. By digitizing the social register, Nigeria can build a system that is transparent, efficient, and inclusive. Data becomes the new oil, powering decisions that are evidence-based and targeted. Instead of blanket programmes that waste resources, the government can design interventions that reach the right households at the right time.

Consider the potential: a farmer in rural Katsina, Oyo, Ogun state can be digitally identified and linked to agricultural subsidies; a widow in Bayelsa, Borno, Plateau can be enrolled in cash transfer programmes without bureaucratic delays; a child in Kano, Kaduna, Benue can be connected to educational support through interoperable systems that tie together school records, identity databases, and social protection platforms.

The true power of the DSR lies not just in its existence but in its ability to connect with other systems. Interoperability is the buzzword here. Imagine a Nigeria where the National Identity Number (NIN), Bank Verification Number (BVN), health insurance records, and social protection databases all “speak” to one another.

Such a system would allow the government to deliver targeted cash transfers, subsidised healthcare, and educational support seamlessly. It would also reduce corruption by making it harder to manipulate records or divert funds. Transparency and accountability would be built into the system, not added as an afterthought.
Interoperability also has macroeconomic implications. By linking social protection to financial inclusion, Nigeria can expand access to digital payments, savings, and credit for vulnerable households. This is not just about welfare; it is about empowerment. A digitally connected citizen is a citizen who can participate more fully in the economy.

Of course, digital transformation is not without challenges. Issues of cybersecurity, data privacy, and digital literacy must be addressed to ensure that the registry builds trust rather than suspicion. Nigerians are rightly concerned about how their data is used, who has access to it, and whether it can be misused.

Rural communities, often excluded from digital systems, must be prioritized. Connectivity gaps, limited electricity, and low digital literacy can undermine the promise of the DSR if not tackled head on. Partnerships with local governments, civil society, and international organisations will be critical to achieving inclusivity.

There is also the question of sustainability. Digital systems require constant updating, maintenance, and investment. Without political will and financial commitment, the DSR risks becoming another abandoned project. We must avoid the trap of launching ambitious initiatives without ensuring long-term viability.

Nigeria is not alone in this journey. Countries like India, with its Aadhaar system, and Brazil, with its Cadastro Único, have shown how digital registries can transform social protection. These systems have enabled governments to deliver subsidies, pensions, and healthcare more efficiently, while reducing leakages and fraud.

Yet Nigeria’s context is unique. Our diversity, federal structure, and infrastructural challenges mean that we cannot simply copy and paste solutions. We must design a system that reflects our realities, while learning from global best practices.

Beyond registries and databases, civil servants must embrace emerging technologies to strengthen social protection. Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help analyse data to identify patterns of vulnerability.
Blockchain can enhance transparency in cash transfers. Mobile platforms can expand access to services in remote areas.

The private sector has a role to play here. Fintech companies, already driving financial inclusion, can partner with the government to deliver social protection payments securely and efficiently.

Universities and research institutions can contribute to designing evaluation frameworks that measure impact. Civil society can ensure that the voices of vulnerable populations are heard in the design of programmes.

Trust is the currency of digital transformation. Without it, even the most sophisticated systems will fail. DSR must be designed to serve ordinary Nigerians, not to exploit us, and its leakages must be blocked. This requires clear communication, robust data protection laws, and visible results.

When citizens see that digital registries lead to real benefits, such as timely cash transfers, reduced corruption, and improved access to services, trust will grow. Conversely, if the system is plagued by inefficiency or misuse, scepticism will deepen.

In many ways, the Digital Social Registry is Nigeria’s new oil. Just as crude oil powered our economy, data-driven social protection can power inclusive growth. By investing in this digital infrastructure, Nigeria can ensure that its most vulnerable citizens are not only protected but also empowered to contribute to national development.

This is not just about welfare. It is about building a society where every Nigerian has a digital identity, access to social protection, and the opportunity to thrive. It is about shifting from resource dependence to knowledge dependence. It is about redefining what it means to be a wealthy nation.

Nigeria stands at a crossroads. The DSR is a bold step toward digital transformation in social protection, but it is only the beginning. The challenge now is to sustain momentum, strengthen interoperability, and build trust.

If we succeed, the DSR will not just be a registry it will be the foundation of a more equitable and prosperous Nigeria. It will be our new oil, powering inclusive growth and social justice.

The future of social protection is digital, and Nigeria has already taken bold steps. The question is whether we will seize this moment, invest in the infrastructure, and commit to the vision. If we do, history will remember the DSR not as a database, but as the turning point in Nigeria’s journey toward inclusive development.

Dr. Gabriel Akinremi,
a scholar, distinguished researcher and Digital Transformation evangelist, writes from Abuja, FCT.