News Highlights:
- NITDA DG emphasised that global recognition brings responsibility, urging stakeholders to hold the agency accountable and ensure reforms are institutionalised rather than dependent on individuals.
- The newly inaugurated Multistakeholder Coordination Group aims to strengthen cooperation across government, civil society, and the private sector.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has inaugurated a Multistakeholder Coordination Group, positioning it as a cornerstone for accountability, inclusivity, and sustained progress in Nigeria’s digital governance journey.
At the inauguration held in Abuja, NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, framed Nigeria’s recent global recognition in digital governance as both a privilege and a responsibility.
“Recognition comes with responsibility. If the global community recognises what we are doing, it means we must do more to sustain that progress,” he said.
Inuwa credited Nigeria’s achievements to deliberate investments in policy frameworks such as the National E-Governance and Digital Economy Bill, the Nigeria Data Protection Act, and instruments like the Interoperability Framework and the Nigerian Government Enterprise Architecture.
While these have strengthened the country’s digital foundation, he stressed that greater coordination and inclusive participation are essential to sustain momentum.
He urged stakeholders to ensure that underserved communities, persons with disabilities, children, and the elderly are not excluded from Nigeria’s digital transformation, identifying connectivity and digital literacy as critical enablers.
Highlighting regulatory achievements, Inuwa disclosed that NITDA reviewed IT projects worth over ₦1.5 trillion across federal MDAs in the past year, saving more than ₦319 billion.
Yet, he warned that over 56 per cent of IT projects historically failed due to poor planning and inadequate oversight. To address this, stricter guidelines on system design, professional certification, and quality assurance are being introduced.
“We need stakeholders to hold us accountable for what we promise to deliver,” he added, stressing that reforms must be institutionalised rather than dependent on individuals.
Gloria Ahmed, National Coordinator of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in Nigeria, commended the initiative as a significant step toward strengthening collaboration across the digital ecosystem.
She noted that the move aligns with principles of transparency, accountability, and citizen participation, adding that technology is central to building trust in governance.
Ahmed also referenced Nigeria’s recognition at the 2025 Global Summit in Spain and highlighted commitments under the Fourth National Action Plan, including the development of a national Digital Public Infrastructure and the Nigeria Data Exchange Platform.
According to her, the success of these initiatives will hinge on active collaboration among government, civil society, and the private sector.
The inauguration of the Multistakeholder Coordination Group is expected to reinforce cooperation, enhance transparency, and ensure that Nigeria’s digital governance remains inclusive, resilient, and globally competitive.
