Nigeria Inaugurates Panel to Rank Government Websites

The Federal Government of Nigeria has inaugurated an inter-ministerial task team tasked with overseeing the 2026 ranking of websites for its Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). The government has charged the team to ensure objectivity, professionalism, and transparency throughout the evaluation process.

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Today, for many reasons, in Nigeria, a government website is the first point of contact with public institutions. It is where citizens seek information, access services and engage with government.

Dasuki Arabi, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), highlighted the significance of government websites as the primary point of contact for citizens seeking information and accessing services. He stated that the 2026 exercise aims to build on previous editions by introducing measures to bolster the credibility, relevance, and effectiveness of the assessments.

To streamline the process, an automated digital platform developed by GovTech Africa has been implemented. Arabi noted that this technological integration is vital for measuring performance and driving institutional improvement. However, he emphasized that the integrity of the process itself remains paramount, regardless of the technology supporting it.

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This is an important step in ensuring that government increasingly uses technology not only to deliver services, but also to measure performance and drive institutional improvement.

The task team comprises representatives from institutions with mandates in public service reforms, digital transformation, data protection, and communications. Their role is to provide independent oversight and assurance, ensuring the approved methodology is applied consistently and professional judgment is exercised objectively. Arabi cautioned the team to handle the exercise with care, recalling that past rankings had prompted protests from governors and ministers, urging them to prioritize objectivity.

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The responsibility before the task team is therefore clear. To ensure that the approved methodology is applied consistently, that evidence is properly considered, that professional judgment is exercised objectively and that the integrity of this process is protected.

Fortune Toma, Director of GovTech Africa, stated that the organization's collaboration with the BPSR is designed to bring greater consistency, efficiency, and evidence-based assessment to the digital performance of MDAs.

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When the last results were released, governors were calling me, some were protesting, some were attacking me, ministers were calling, they were protesting, they were attacking. So please let’s try to be careful.