Structural challenges holding back Nigeria's civic technology movement

Nigeria’s civic technology sector has shown remarkable innovation in recent years, but experts warn that enthusiasm alone is not enough to overcome the systemic barriers that limit its impact.

Jennifer Ejeh, a leading figure in Nigeria’s civic tech space, says that while platforms like the Zabe election monitoring system and the UNSUB app for gender-based violence survivors have demonstrated potential, structural challenges often prevent these tools from reaching their full effect.

Zabe, one of only three independently verified platforms used during Nigeria’s 2023 elections, strengthened democratic processes by providing credible election monitoring. UNSUB, developed to support survivors of gender-based violence, offered critical resources to vulnerable populations.

Yet Ejeh notes that technological success does not guarantee sustainable impact. Unreliable infrastructure, inconsistent funding, and a complex political landscape frequently limit adoption and long-term effectiveness.

“Platforms must do more than function technologically. They require relationships, trust, and engagement with institutions that take time and persistence to cultivate,” Ejeh explains.

The Zabe platform, for example, relied heavily on operational partnerships with electoral stakeholders to ensure effectiveness.

Similarly, UNSUB’s value is amplified through coordination with human rights agencies, law enforcement, and trained responders, forming a broader ecosystem of support around the tool itself.

Sustainable civic tech demands continuous investment in training, stakeholder engagement, and government collaboration. Ejeh emphasises that government adoption transforms civic tech from an external innovation into an embedded institutional practice.

Platforms must also be adaptable, capable of functioning across Nigeria’s diverse political and infrastructural contexts. A model that works in Lagos may not translate effectively to Kano or Port Harcourt without modifications.

Beyond infrastructure and operational challenges, funding remains a critical hurdle. Short-term grants often force civic tech teams to focus on survival rather than long-term strategy.

Bureaucratic delays within government agencies further complicate adoption, requiring strategic relationship-building and advocacy by champions within institutions. Ejeh stresses that civic tech in Nigeria cannot rely solely on idealism.

“Founders need to pair innovation with operational sophistication and strategic partnerships,” she says.

Funders, meanwhile, must provide patient capital to support the long-term work of embedding solutions within institutions.

The lessons from Ejeh’s experience are clear: Nigeria has many civic tech solutions ready to address pressing societal challenges.

The missing piece is the infrastructure, funding models, and institutional relationships necessary to scale these platforms effectively, turning good intentions into measurable, lasting change.