The push to actualise Nigeria’s digital economy ambitions must move beyond federal frameworks to concrete implementation at the state level, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has said.
Speaking virtually at the South-South Regional ICT Stakeholders Forum, Inuwa emphasised that sub-national alignment remains the missing link in accelerating digital transformation across the country.
The forum convened policymakers, technology leaders, civil society organisations and ecosystem players to map out strategies for deepening digital development in the region.
Inuwa noted that while NITDA has recorded measurable progress at the federal level, the true test of success lies in how effectively national policies are domesticated by state governments.
Digital transformation, he stressed, can only be sustained when states translate policies into actionable programmes backed by defined governance and implementation structures.
Referencing key national instruments such as the Nigerian Startup Act and the National Digital Literacy Framework, the NITDA boss observed that although several states have established ICT-focused ministries and agencies, some still lack comprehensive enabling laws and structured governance mechanisms.
He assured that the agency remains ready to provide technical guidance to states seeking to strengthen their digital ecosystems.
Digital literacy, he stressed, is central to inclusive growth. Under the National Digital Literacy Framework, NITDA aims to achieve 95 per cent digital literacy nationwide by 2030.
In partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education, digital skills have been embedded in school curricula, with teachers across the country undergoing capacity-building programmes to support technology-driven learning.
States in the South-South were urged to ensure that educators in both public and private schools actively participate in the initiative.
The Director General also highlighted efforts to upskill public servants. In collaboration with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, more than 54,000 federal civil servants have enrolled in structured digital skills training.
Similar programmes, he said, are being considered for rollout across South-South states to improve governance efficiency and service delivery outcomes.
On partnerships, Inuwa pointed to collaborations with Cisco, which provide access to self-paced digital courses, and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), whose digital champions conduct community-based sensitisation in markets, worship centres, motor parks and among senior citizens.
He urged stakeholders in the zone to strengthen coordination and co-create practical initiatives to expand digital inclusion.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation in Cross River State, Dr Justin Atiang Beshel, reaffirmed the state’s determination to leverage technology for sustainable development.
He said Cross River is prioritising broadband expansion and digital infrastructure as the backbone of e-government services, skills development, innovation and job creation. Improved connectivity, he noted, would unlock economic opportunities and enhance service delivery state-wide.
Despite challenges such as limited rural connectivity and funding constraints for large-scale ICT projects, the Commissioner expressed optimism about strategic partnerships.
He described collaboration with NITDA and private sector players as critical to narrowing the digital divide, strengthening cybersecurity resilience and ensuring inclusive participation in the digital economy.
Beshel maintained that sustained investment and coordinated action would position Cross River as a competitive digital hub within Nigeria’s evolving technology landscape.
