Finland spearheads 23-million-euro European Union project to enhance Nigeria's online government services

The Finnish government is set to spearhead a €23 million Team Europe Initiative, focused on bolstering Nigeria's digital public services and backing the rollout of the 3 Million Technical Talent programme, with financing provided by the European Union.

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This initiative will be carried out by HAUS, Finland's development and training company, in collaboration with ESTDEV, Estonia's development agency, as revealed by Sanna Selin, the Finnish ambassador to Nigeria.

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A statement released on Monday by Maria Ruuskanen, on behalf of the Embassy, outlined that the initiative is part of the EU–Nigeria Digital Economy Package under the Global Gateway strategy, aimed at enhancing digital governance and skills.

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The programme's primary objectives include expanding access to secure, interoperable, and citizen-centred public services, as well as strengthening institutional capacity and governance frameworks within Nigeria, according to the statement.

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This move is aligned with Nigeria's National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, which spans from 2020 to 2030, and is also in line with the priorities of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

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HAUS, Finland's development and training company, will be at the helm of the implementation, partnering with ESTDEV, Estonia's development agency, to bring together European expertise in digital government and public-sector innovation.

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The initiative, dubbed "Support to Digital Public Services and Talent Management", is valued at €23 million and is fully funded by the European Union, forming part of the EU–Nigeria Digital Economy Package under the Global Gateway strategy.

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It is also aligned with Nigeria's National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for 2020-2030, as well as the Ministry's strategic priorities for 2023-2027, with close cooperation from the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

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According to the Embassy of Finland in Abuja, the initiative will also provide support for the implementation of the 3MTT programme, a flagship government project aimed at developing a pool of technical talent across the country.

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Selin noted that this collaboration reflects Finland's commitment to backing Nigeria's digital transformation, given Finland's extensive experience in secure digital governance, interoperability, and citizen-centric public services.

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By bringing this expertise to the Team Europe Initiative, Finland is dedicated to supporting Nigeria in developing interoperable digital public services that meet the highest EU standards, as stated by the envoy.

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Selin further added that the partnership will help strengthen cybersecurity and data protection practices, build institutional capacity, and expand inclusive digital access for citizens and businesses.

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The initiative is expected to improve public service delivery, boost trust in government institutions, and unlock new economic opportunities for Nigerians, while fostering a more transparent and innovation-driven digital ecosystem, according to Selin.