By Martin Ekpeke
Nigerian government agencies have been urged to accelerate the transition from Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) to Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) to expand digital public services, accommodate growing internet-connected devices and strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure.
At an IPv6 migration readiness workshop in Abuja, organized by National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with the Nigeria IPv6 Council and African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC), the migration was identified as a critical step towards supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda
Speaking at the workshop, the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, urged executive-level officials of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to provide the leadership and institutional support required to ensure a smooth transition.
The workshop brings together management and technical personnel to build awareness of the migration and develop the expertise required for its implementation.
Represented by Oladejo Olawumi, Director of NITDA’s Digital Development Services Department, Inuwa stressed that executive commitment was essential to the success of the transition, noting that technical teams would struggle to make progress without adequate understanding and support from management.
“It is to help you understand the process of transitioning from IPv4 to IPv6 and why we need to do it. And importantly, to support the technical staff who are also being trained,” he said.
He added that the training was designed to ensure that management officials understood their responsibilities and could work effectively with technical personnel as agencies prepared to migrate.
IPv4, the older internet addressing system, supports approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses. However, the proliferation of smartphones, security cameras, smart televisions, connected vehicles and other Internet of Things devices is increasing demand for internet addresses. IPv6 offers a vastly larger address space, providing room for the continued expansion of digital networks and services.
Five major reasons to adopt IPv6
Accommodating growing connectivity demands. The expansion of connected devices and digital systems requires sufficient internet addresses. IPv6 provides the capacity for MDAs to connect more devices and expand their networks without being constrained by IPv4’s limited address space.
Expanding online public services. As the government moves more services online, agencies need infrastructure capable of supporting increasing numbers of users and growing digital traffic. IPv6 can support this expansion, helping more citizens access government services remotely and reducing the need for physical visits to public offices.
Strengthening digital infrastructure. The migration will help prepare government networks for future growth and the increasing demands of digital operations. It is part of building a more scalable foundation for interconnected systems and the delivery of technology-driven public services.
Supporting the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative. Inuwa linked IPv6 adoption to the Federal Government’s broader digital transformation agenda, including efforts to strengthen its National Sovereign Cloud Initiative. As MDAs increasingly store and process information digitally, scalable network infrastructure will be important to supporting the expansion of cloud-based platforms and services.
Preparing for emerging technologies. The growing use of Internet of Things devices and other connected technologies will place additional demands on government networks. IPv6’s extensive address capacity provides a foundation for accommodating future digital applications and connected devices as public institutions modernise their operations.
Inuwa emphasised that successful migration would require cooperation between senior officials and technical teams. He urged management personnel to take responsibility for supporting the process and encouraged participating technical staff to make the most of the training.
NITDA is funding certification for participating technical personnel, who are expected to sit examinations at the end of the programme. According to Inuwa, the initiative is an investment in both institutional capacity and the professional development of government IT personnel.
Mohamed Rudman, Chairman of the Nigeria IPv6 Council and Chief Executive Officer of the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), is leading the technical training. He welcomed the collaboration with NITDA and urged participants to engage actively with the facilitators to prepare their institutions for the transition.
The workshop’s two-track structure combining executive-level awareness with technical capacity building underscores the need for leadership commitment and practical expertise to advance IPv6 adoption across government institutions.
For Nigeria’s digital government ambitions, the transition represents an important infrastructure step. Its success will depend not only on technical readiness but also on sustained management support, coordinated implementation and the ability of MDAs to translate training into practical migration plans.