The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called for a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s public service, urging a transition from traditional bureaucracy to digital excellence.
This charge was led by Kashifu Inuwa, the director general of NITDA, during the official launch of the Civil Service Technology Empowerment for Capacity and High Performance (CIVTECH) program in Cross River State.
The initiative, organized by the Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (CRS MEDA), aims to equip 2,000 civil servants with the digital competencies required for modern, technology-enabled service delivery.
The Economic Imperative of Digitalization
Highlighting the growing impact of technology on the national economy, Inuwa revealed that Nigeria’s ICT sector contributed nearly 20% to the nation’s real GDP in 2024.
He emphasized that digital transformation is no longer a mere technical goal but a core component of national competitiveness.
According to the DG, maintaining outdated systems leads to delayed decision-making and operational inefficiencies, limited transparency in government dealings and declining public trust among citizens and businesses.
Inuwa noted that citizens now expect government interactions to match the speed and convenience found in digital banking and e-commerce.
Empowering, Not Replacing, the Workforce
Addressing common fears regarding automation, the NITDA DG assured public servants that technology is an empowerment tool rather than a replacement.
“Technology frees you from repetitive administrative tasks so you can focus on strategic thinking, policy innovation, and national development,” Inuwa stated, represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo.
He further asserted that while infrastructure is vital, people transform institutions, requiring a workforce that is digitally skilled and citizen-centric.
Cross River’s Paperless Ambition
The Cross River State Government, through Mr. Orok Okon, its head of Service, reaffirmed its commitment to workforce capacity building to ensure timely and high-quality service delivery.
Mr. Great Ogban, director general of CRS MEDA, added that the CIVTECH program is a critical step toward the state’s goal of achieving a fully paperless civil service.
He expressed optimism that the deepening partnership with NITDA would accelerate the state’s digital transition and enhance the quality of training provided to its personnel.
Strategic Priorities for NITDA
The DG outlined several key areas NITDA is currently focusing on to support this national shift, including:
- Digital Literacy: Scaling skills development across public institutions.
- Automation: Moving government processes from paperwork to digital performance.
- Emerging Tech: Encouraging the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the public sector.
- Infrastructure & Security: Strengthening digital public infrastructure and data protection.
As ICT’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP nears the one-fifth mark, the pressure on the public sector to modernize has never been higher.
The CIVTECH program represents a necessary sub-national effort to align civil service output with the digital realities of the private sector, potentially reducing the high cost of bureaucratic delays that often stifle business operations.
