DG NITDA- EMBRACING DIGITAL SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE GOVERNANCE

DG NITDA- EMBRACING DIGITAL SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE GOVERNANCE

ALIMOTU SHADIAT

The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE has emphasised that embracing technology and digital solutions is crucial for modernising and enhancing service delivery, leading to better governance.

The NITDA’s Director General made this statement in Abuja at the Nigeria Govtech Conference and Awards organised by Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) with the theme: Digital Innovations as a Catalyst for the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He maintained that digitising government services is crucial for Nigeria’s economic growth, adding that by leveraging technology, the country can implement policies and programmes more efficiently, driving progress and development: “This aligns with the Federal Government’s vision to create a digital economy that benefits all Nigerians,” he said.

While emphasising on the need for a comprehensive agenda that focuses on human capital development, digital literacy, and skills training, particularly in both formal and informal sectors, the Director General highlighted the importance of digital innovation and transformation for economic growth and empowerment.

He added that the aim is to foster strong institutions that would enhance citizens’ lives through effective governance and technological adoption in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Inuwa noted that NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0 (SRAP 2024-2027) is structured around eight pillars which include; Foster Digital Literacy and Cultivate Talents, Building a Robust Technology Research Ecosystem, Strengthening Policy Implementation and Legal Frameworks, Promoting Inclusive Access to Digital Infrastructure and Services, Enhancing Cybersecurity and Digital Trust, Nurturing an Innovative and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, Forging Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations, and Cultivating a Vibrant Organisational Culture with an Agile Workforce.

He further explained that through “foster digital literacy and cultivate talents pillar, we will accelerate transformation and innovation through human capital, which is our greatest resource, and we projected that by 2030, we would have achieved 95 per cent digital literacy.”

Inuwa said, “the Agency is targeting to achieve 70% digital literacy by 2027 with three initiatives. The Agency is collaborating with the Ministry of Education to develop digital skills curriculum and incorporate digital literacy and skills in our formal education.”

The NITDA boss asserted that the second initiative is through the informal sector like the market women, and artisans by providing them with the required knowledge about digital literacy to help them in their businesses.

He said, “We are also collaborating with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) through the Digital Literacy for All initiative which has started in 12 states and will be extended to all the states targeting to train 30 million Nigerians.” In his earlier welcome address, the Director General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dasuki Arabi, stated that digital transformation is crucial to the country’s public service and has potential to enhance service delivery, promote citizen engagement, and foster inclusive governance.

He asserted that the e-governance reforms are expected to position Nigeria as leader in digital governance, enhancing transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement paving way for the advancement of the country.Arabi further explained that with the right technology and innovation, we can not only fulfil the mandates of the Renewed Hope Agenda but also create a more prosperous and inclusive society for all Nigerians.