News Highlights:
- NITDA’s Digital Transformation Training for Civil Servants
- Call for Better Compliance and Strategic ICT Planning
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has launched a training programme for 1,000 civil servants from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to enhance their knowledge of IT Project Clearance processes.
This initiative aims to build a digitally skilled workforce and drive public sector transformation in line with the government’s economic and governance reforms.
The training, held at the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) in Abuja, targets ICT, Budget, Finance, and Planning Officers of Federal Public Institutions. It focuses on improving ICT planning, budgeting, and management to ensure the efficient execution of digital projects across government agencies.
Speaking at the event, NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, represented by Director of IT Infrastructure Solutions, Oladejo Olawunmi, highlighted the importance of strategic planning and funding in advancing digital initiatives.
He noted that NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2.0 aligns with national priorities, emphasizing talent development, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, innovation, and policy support to drive a sustainable digital economy.
“This plan aligns with national priorities and aligns with our strategic pillars such as talent development, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, innovation, and policy-enablement to foster a sustainable digital economy,” he said
However, Inuwa acknowledged challenges such as poor collaboration, short-term planning, inadequate ICT infrastructure maintenance, and low compliance with IT clearance processes—only 12% of Federal Public Institutions currently follow the guidelines.
“While there have been notable achievements, only 12 percent of Federal Public Institutions, FPIs comply with the process, necessitating a whole-of-government approach for full alignment with national digital transformation goals,” he revealed.
To address this, he stressed the need for better integration of modern technologies like cloud computing, enterprise networking, and remote support.
He urged participants to adopt a whole-of-government approach to digital transformation, ensuring responsible use of public funds, optimizing budgeting processes, and strengthening financial oversight.
“We will explore how to optimize budgeting processes, improve financial oversight, and build systems that ensure transparency and accountability. This event has been structured with your professional development in mind, with sessions led by experts in the field, interactive discussions, and practical case studies that will provide you with actionable knowledge you can apply in your respective roles,” he concluded.
The programme includes expert-led sessions, case studies, and interactive discussions to equip officers with practical skills in strategic planning, evaluation, and resource management.
Encouraging participants to maximize the training, Inuwa emphasized their critical role in government service delivery, saying, “You are the backbone of efficient and transparent governance. Your ability to manage resources and implement projects effectively will shape the future of public sector digital transformation.”