Digital Transformation Now Economic Priority, Says NITDA Boss At CIVTECH Launch

The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called for a bold transformation of Nigeria’s public service from traditional bureaucracy to digital excellence, as he participated in the official flag-off of the Civil Service Technology Empowerment for Capacity and High Performance (CIVTECH) Programme in Cross River State.

The programme, hosted by the Cross River State Government and organised by the Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (CRS MEDA), is designed to equip 2,000 civil servants with critical digital skills required to drive efficient, technology-enabled service delivery.

In his keynote address titled “From Bureaucracy to Digital Excellence: Leveraging Technology for a High-Performing Public Service,” the NITDA DG, represented by the Director of the Stakeholders Management and Partnership Department, Dr. Aristotle Onumo, emphasised that the future of governance depends on the ability of public institutions to embrace digital transformation.

“For decades, the public service has been the engine room of national development. But in an era defined by speed, data and innovation, traditional bureaucratic processes are no longer sufficient to meet the expectations of citizens and businesses,” he said.

He noted that citizens now expect government services to mirror the efficiency and convenience experienced in digital banking, e-commerce and mobile platforms.

Highlighting the economic imperative of digitalisation, Inuwa stated that Nigeria’s ICT sector contributed nearly 20 per cent to the nation’s real GDP in 2024, underscoring the growing role of technology as a driver of economic growth and competitiveness.

“Digital transformation is no longer just a technology agenda,” he said. “It is an economic agenda, a governance agenda and a national competitiveness agenda.”

According to him, maintaining outdated bureaucratic systems results in delayed decision-making, inefficiencies, limited transparency and declining public trust.

However, he stressed that digital excellence offers a pathway to faster service delivery, improved accountability, increased productivity and enhanced citizen satisfaction.

“This is the shift from paperwork to performance, from process-driven governance to outcome-driven governance,” he added.

Inuwa further emphasised that while infrastructure and systems are important, people remain central to institutional transformation.

“Technology alone does not transform institutions. People do. Digital excellence requires public servants who are digitally skilled, innovation-driven, solution-oriented, performance-focused and citizen-centric,” he asserted.

He assured participants that technology is not designed to replace public servants but to empower them.

“Technology frees you from repetitive administrative tasks so you can focus on strategic thinking, policy innovation and national development,” he said.

Outlining NITDA’s strategic priorities, he referenced ongoing efforts to promote digital literacy and skills development, strengthen digital public infrastructure, automate government processes, enhance cybersecurity and data protection, and encourage the adoption of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence across public institutions.

He commended Cross River State for embracing reform and positioning itself at the forefront of sub-national digital transformation, noting that initiatives like CIVTECH align with the Federal Government’s broader vision of building an efficient, transparent and citizen-centric public service.

“The future of governance is digital. Together, we can transform governance. Together, we can transform Nigeria. And together, we can build a public service worthy of the digital age,” he concluded.

Declaring the programme open, the state’s Head of Service, Mr. Orok Okon, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening workforce capacity. He emphasised that in an era defined by rapid technological advancement, public institutions must equip their personnel with the skills and competencies necessary to deliver efficient, technology-enabled services.

According to him, investing in human capital is essential not only for improving internal administrative processes but also for ensuring that citizens receive timely, transparent and high-quality services across all sectors.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General of CRS MEDA, Mr. Great Ogban, expressed appreciation to the Governor and the Head of Service for their consistent commitment to technology-driven workforce development.

He urged shortlisted trainees to demonstrate dedication, noting that their participation aligns with the state’s goal of transitioning to a fully paperless civil service.

Ogban also expressed optimism about the state’s growing partnership with NITDA, stating that the collaboration would accelerate digital transformation efforts in Cross River State.

According to him, the joint efforts between the state government and NITDA will not only enhance the quality of digital training for civil servants but also fast-track the transition to a more efficient, technology-driven public service.