The Anambra Review
One state. Seventeen platforms. One standard.
In 2026, BRINCS partnered with the Anambra State ICT Agency to answer a question every digital-forward state eventually faces: our platforms exist — but do they work for citizens?
Anambra was a natural partner. The state has invested seriously in digital government, with live platforms spanning identity, revenue, justice, health, land, transport, procurement and local government. That ambition deserved an honest, structured look at how well the platforms serve the people they were built for.
A single evaluation manual applied to 17 priority platforms
We built one consistent standard drawing on recognised international and Nigerian practice — and applied it across 8 service clusters.
Can a citizen find the service, understand it, and complete it — on a phone, on a slow connection, without inside knowledge?
Is the platform configured to protect itself and the citizens who use it? (Assessed passively — we evaluate, we never intrude.)
Can citizens ask questions, report problems, and get an answer?
Does the platform clearly state what it's for, carry official identity, and actually deliver the service it promises?
Rigorous, reproducible methodology
One review document per platform, completed by trained reviewers
Two review streams: technical and citizen-experience
Every finding recorded with exact steps, evidence and context
Passive throughout: no penetration testing, no attempts to access restricted systems
Encouraging progress, with work ahead
The encouraging news
Anambra has genuinely moved past "brochure websites." Most platforms are live, carry official government identity, and handle real citizen services. No evidence of any breach or exposed citizen data was found.
The work ahead
Like most digital estates anywhere in the world, there are improvements to make — in consistency, accessibility, citizen feedback loops, maintenance practice and security posture.
The specifics matter too much to publish. Detailed technical findings were delivered directly and confidentially to the Anambra State ICT Agency, with a prioritised remediation roadmap — so fixes can happen before details are discussed publicly. That is responsible practice, and it is deliberate.
The lasting output isn't a report that gathers dust
It is capability:
A reusable evaluation manual any officer can run again
A common language for platform quality across every MDA
A prioritised, phased roadmap for improvement
A proposed governance model assigning clear ownership per platform
Documentation that survives changes of officials and administrations
Everything ready to hand over to the next SPPG cohort or government team