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.
He spoke at the 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), aims to equip 2,000 civil servants with critical digital skills to enhance efficient and technology-driven service delivery.
In his keynote address, delivered on his behalf by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Inuwa said the future of governance depends on public institutions embracing digital transformation. He noted that traditional bureaucratic processes can no longer meet the expectations of citizens and businesses in an era defined by speed, data and innovation.
He added that citizens now expect government services to match the efficiency and convenience of digital banking, e-commerce and mobile platforms. Citing the economic impact of technology, he said Nigeria’s ICT sector contributed nearly 20 per cent to real GDP in 2024.
According to him, digital transformation is not merely a technology agenda but also an economic, governance and national competitiveness priority. He warned that outdated systems lead to delays, inefficiencies and declining public trust, while digital excellence promotes accountability, productivity and citizen satisfaction.
Inuwa stressed that people remain central to institutional reform, noting that technology is meant to empower, not replace, public servants. He said digital tools free workers from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on innovation, strategic thinking and national development.
He also outlined NITDA’s priorities, including digital literacy, strengthening digital public infrastructure, automating government processes, enhancing cybersecurity and promoting emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence across public institutions. He commended Cross River State for aligning with the Federal Government’s vision of a transparent and citizen-centric public service.
Declaring the programme open, the state’s Head of Service, Mr. Orok Okon, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to workforce capacity development, while CRS MEDA Director General, Mr. Great Ogban, urged participants to show dedication and expressed optimism that the partnership with NITDA would accelerate the state’s transition to a fully paperless and technology-driven civil service.
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