News Highlights:
- Kashifu Inuwa, the DG of NITDA, emphasized the critical role of technology and digital solutions in modernizing service delivery and governance.
- He highlighted that digitizing government services is essential for Nigeria’s economic growth.
Kashifu Inuwa, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has highlighted the importance of adopting technology and digital solutions as key drivers for modernizing and improving service delivery, ultimately resulting in more effective governance.
Inuwa 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 stressed that the digitization of government services is essential for Nigeria’s economic growth, noting that technology enables more efficient implementation of policies and programs, thereby driving progress and development. “This aligns with the Federal Government’s vision to build a digital economy that benefits all Nigerians,” he stated.
The Director General underscored the need for a comprehensive agenda centered on human capital development, digital literacy, and skills training, particularly in both formal and informal sectors. He emphasized that digital innovation and transformation are critical for driving economic growth and empowerment.
He further stated that the goal is to build strong institutions that improve citizens’ lives through effective governance and the adoption of technology, in alignment with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Inuwa 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.
“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.
“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,” he said.
In his welcome address earlier, 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 the 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, NITDA cannot only fulfil the mandates of the Renewed Hope Agenda but also create a more prosperous and inclusive society for all Nigerians.
