By: Muhammd Jalal
To unlock inclusive growth for all Nigerians, the country must forge a deeper digital alliance. That was the core message from Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
During a high-level visit to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Secretariat in Abuja, Inuwa called for state and local governments to commit to a stronger partnership with the federal government.
He emphasized that digital transformation is a national vision that requires active participation from every corner of the country to succeed.
“Our mandate isn’t just federal—it’s truly national, which means it must embrace state and local governments,” Inuwa asserted. To make this partnership real, he urged governments to “strengthen collaborations that embed our initiatives directly within state and local structures.”
The DG then showcased Nigeria’s immense digital leap: when NITDA began, fewer than 500,000 Nigerians used computers and ICT contributed less than 0.5% to the GDP. Today, that progress is undeniable, with over 130 million internet users and ICT now contributing more than 17% to the GDP.
According to him, this transformation was driven by strategic partnerships among government institutions, private organisations, and international development partners.
Inuwa reiterated NITDA’s vision of creating “a digitally empowered nation that uses technology to drive national prosperity,” anchored on the agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) built around eight key pillars.
He explained that the first pillar Fostering Digital Literacy and Cultivating Talent — remains a top priority. NITDA aims to achieve 70% digital literacy by 2027 and 95% by 2030, through initiatives such as the 3 million Tech Talent (3MTT) Programme and the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF).
Under the framework, the agency is working with the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to integrate digital skills training into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula nationwide.
Inuwa also announced ongoing collaborations with the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to train civil servants and corps members through the NYSC Digital Literacy Champions Initiative, which is expected to reach over 10 million Nigerians annually, particularly in the informal sector.
“No one succeeds in isolation. We must work as an ecosystem to create prosperity and inclusivity through technology,” Inuwa added.
He also invited state governments to actively participate in NITDA’s upcoming International Conference on Electronic Governance (ICEGOV) and Digital Nigeria Conference, designed to foster cross-state learning and collaboration in digital governance.
Inuwa concluded by reaffirming NITDA’s commitment to leveraging partnerships to integrate technology into governance and enhance public service delivery at all levels.
In his remarks, Dr. Abdulateef Shittu, Director General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), described NITDA’s visit as a significant step toward strengthening intergovernmental collaboration in driving Nigeria’s digital economy agenda across all 36 states.
He commended NITDA’s leadership in advancing digital transformation, noting that technology has become a key enabler of competitiveness, opportunity, and inclusive development.
“We deeply appreciate your leadership and the critical role NITDA continues to play in advancing Nigeria’s digital economy. In an era where technology defines competitiveness and opportunity, your work stands at the heart of our nation’s transformation,” Shittu stated.
Dr. Shittu stressed that digital transformation goes beyond administrative efficiency, describing it as a “national imperative” capable of improving service delivery, expanding economic opportunities, and uplifting millions of Nigerians.
He highlighted the Forum’s ongoing efforts, including the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Readiness Report and the Intelligent Revenue Authority Readiness Report, which guide sub national reforms in digital identity, data exchange, payments, and trust systems.
“These reports are already shaping conversations and actions at the subnational level,” he noted, adding that collaboration on Technical Standards for DPI and the Nigeria Data Exchange Framework will further enhance interoperability and secure data sharing across government systems.
“With strong partnership and shared accountability, we will unlock a future where every Nigerian, urban or rural, has access to the tools and opportunities of the digital age,” he added.
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