NITDA DG Seeks Governors’ Support for Tech-Driven Inclusive Growth
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has urged state governors to deepen collaboration with the Federal Government in order to accelerate digital transformation and inclusive growth across the country.
Inuwa made the call during a working visit to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Secretariat in Abuja, where he stressed that the success of Nigeria’s digital economy depends on the active participation of all tiers of government.
“Our mandate isn’t just federal—it’s truly national, which means it must embrace state and local governments,” Inuwa said.
“To make this partnership real, we must strengthen collaborations that embed our initiatives directly within state and local structures.”
He explained that Nigeria’s digital sector had witnessed remarkable growth since NITDA’s establishment, noting that when the agency began, fewer than 500,000 Nigerians used computers, and ICT contributed less than 0.5 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
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“Today, we have over 130 million internet users, and ICT now contributes more than 17 per cent to the GDP,” he said, attributing the progress to strong partnerships among government institutions, private organisations, and international development partners.
Inuwa restated 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), which focuses on eight key pillars.
He said the first pillar, Fostering Digital Literacy and Cultivating Talent, remains a top priority, as the agency targets 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030.
This, he said, would be achieved through programmes such as the 3 Million Tech Talent (3MTT) initiative and the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF).
Under the framework, NITDA is partnering 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 across the country.
Inuwa also disclosed ongoing collaborations with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to train civil servants and corps members under the NYSC Digital Literacy Champions Initiative.
He said the programme is expected to reach more than 10 million Nigerians annually, especially in the informal sector.
“No one succeeds in isolation. We must work as an ecosystem to create prosperity and inclusivity through technology,” Inuwa added.
The NITDA boss also invited state governments to actively participate in the forthcoming International Conference on Electronic Governance (ICEGOV) and the Digital Nigeria Conference, both of which aim to promote cross-state collaboration in digital governance.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to leveraging partnerships to integrate technology into governance and enhance public service delivery at all levels.
In his remarks, the Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr. Abdulateef Shittu, described the visit as a major step towards strengthening intergovernmental collaboration in driving Nigeria’s digital economy.
Shittu commended NITDA’s leadership in advancing the nation’s digital transformation, noting that technology has become a key enabler of competitiveness and 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 said.
He emphasised that digital transformation is not just about improving administrative efficiency but a national imperative that can enhance service delivery, expand economic opportunities, and lift millions out of poverty.
Shittu also outlined ongoing efforts by the Forum, including the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Readiness Report and the Intelligent Revenue Authority Readiness Report, which guide subnational reforms in digital identity, data exchange, payments, and trust systems.
“These reports are already shaping conversations and actions at the subnational level,” he said, adding that collaboration on Technical Standards for DPI and the Nigeria Data Exchange Framework would further enhance interoperability and secure data sharing across government systems.
“With strong partnership and shared accountability, we will unlock a future where every Nigerian, whether urban or rural, has access to the tools and opportunities of the digital age,” Shittu added.
