The afternoon sun beat down on the corporate headquarters of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), but inside, the atmosphere was charged with a shared ambition for the future.
The door opened to welcome Mr. Nadungu Gagare, the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE).
He wasn’t there just for a routine courtesy visit; his presence represented a vital bridge between national policy and execution.
Receiving him with a warm handshake, Kashifu Inuwa, the director-general of NITDA, looked at his guest and saw a powerful validation of leadership.
“This engagement,” Inuwa remarked, his voice carrying the weight of the agency’s mission, “is a significant demonstration of the Ministry’s support. If we are to deliver on Nigeria’s digital economy agenda, the collaboration between our institutions cannot just be sporadic, it must be sustained.”
For Inuwa, this wasn’t the first time both entities had sat across a table to chart the nation’s digital future. He vividly recalled their earlier familiarisation meetings, moments when NITDA had laid bare its strategic roadmap and ongoing initiatives, open for critique and alignment.
Those initial conversations had planted the seeds. Today, as both leaders sat together again, it was clear that their continuous dialogue had evolved into something stronger: a unified front, locked in step, determined to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation and rewiring the country’s tech landscape from the policy level down.
He highlighted key policy areas requiring continued collaboration, including the development of a national sovereign cloud infrastructure and a comprehensive cybersecurity policy framework.
“We are awaiting the Ministry’s guidance on how to move forward, particularly on the national cloud and cybersecurity policies,” he said, while emphasising the importance of clear institutional boundaries and mutual respect in enhancing operational effectiveness and inter-agency cooperation.
Inuwa also revealed that NITDA has been at the forefront of implementing the Performance Management System (PMS), having introduced the framework internally several years before its adoption across the Federal Civil Service.
“We started PMS about four years ago. What we have now at the national level actually originated from our internal reforms,” he disclosed, adding that initiatives such as Project NEXT have strengthened accountability, role clarity, and measurable outcomes across the Agency.
“If you perform well, you are rewarded. If not, there are consequences. Even promotions are tied to performance,” he added.
The Director General further highlighted NITDA’s transformation from a traditional regulatory institution into a dynamic ecosystem enabler focused on innovation, inclusion, and national development.
“We are building a high-velocity organisation, one that is agile, inclusive, and driven by innovation,” he said, explaining that the Agency is embracing a more flexible and entrepreneurial culture that empowers staff to contribute ideas and drive institutional growth.
In his remarks, Mr. Nadungu Gagare, the permanent secretary of the FMCIDE, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with its agencies, describing partnership as fundamental to achieving sustainable progress in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.
“If there is no partnership, there is nothing that can be achieved. But with partnership and collaboration, a lot can be accomplished, and that is exactly what we are seeing now,” he stated.
Gagare explained that the visit forms part of the Ministry’s ongoing engagement with agencies under its supervision to strengthen policy coordination, assess progress, and address operational challenges requiring higher-level intervention.
He commended the management and staff of NITDA for their dedication to advancing Nigeria’s digital innovation ecosystem, acknowledging the Agency’s contributions to digital literacy, innovation, cybersecurity awareness, and the creation of opportunities for startups and young innovators.
“NITDA has continued to play a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s digital future through the promotion of information technology development, digital literacy, innovation, and regulatory standards,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary also stressed the importance of policy coherence among institutions within the Ministry, noting that agency mandates are interconnected and must be implemented seamlessly.
“Your mandates are inputs into one another. That is why we need tight collaboration so implementation can go smoothly,” he said, while assuring NITDA of the Ministry’s continued guidance and institutional support.
He further highlighted ongoing Federal Civil Service reforms, particularly the adoption of the Performance Management System, which promotes accountability, clear target-setting, and measurable performance outcomes.
“When everything needed for performance is made available and targets are not met, consequence management follows. Where targets are exceeded, there is reward. This is how we drive performance in the service,” he noted.
The visit showcases the shared commitment of both FMCIDE and NITDA to advancing Nigeria’s digital economy through stronger collaboration, innovation, and effective governance, with the strengthened partnership expected to play a critical role in delivering inclusive growth, improved service delivery, and sustainable national development.
