From Paper Files to Data Dashboards: How NITDA Is Powering Reform at Federal Character Commission
By Abbas Badmus,
In government offices across Nigeria, shelves lined with bulky files have long symbolised the machinery of public administration. But in a rapidly digitalising world, paper trails are giving way to data dashboards. At the forefront of this quiet transformation is the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), which has taken a decisive step to modernise oversight operations at the Federal Character Commission (FCC).
Through a specialised digital capacity-building programme complete with the donation of 35 laptops, NITDA is helping the Commission transition from manual processes to a data-driven oversight model. The goal is clear: strengthen transparency, improve operational efficiency, and ensure more equitable representation across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The intervention forms part of NITDA’s broader Digital Literacy for All (DL4All) initiative, designed to strengthen digital capacity across public sector institutions. It also aligns with the reform priorities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose administration has placed economic reform, inclusive growth, and improved governance at the centre of its Renewed Hope Agenda.
For the Federal Character Commission, whose constitutional mandate is to monitor and ensure equitable representation in public service appointments nationwide, data is not just administrative paperwork, it is the backbone of accountability. Every recruitment exercise, appointment, and institutional distribution must be tracked, analysed, and evaluated to ensure fairness across states and regions.
Representing the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, the Acting Director of Digital Literacy and Capacity Building, Ahmed Yusuf Tambour, explained the rationale behind the initiative.
“We are here at the Federal Character Commission to carry out a training for staff of the Commission in the area of digital literacy to enhance their proficiency,” Tambour said.
He emphasised that the programme focused heavily on data analysis and data management, skills that directly align with the Commission’s statutory responsibilities. By equipping staff with the ability to manage, interpret, and present large datasets effectively, the agency aims to strengthen oversight functions and reduce reliance on outdated manual systems.
While training provides knowledge, tools enable practice. As part of the intervention, NITDA donated 35 laptops to the Commission, ensuring that the 35 trained participants can immediately apply their new skills.
The laptops are more than equipment; they represent a shift in workflow culture. With improved access to digital tools, staff members can seamlessly integrate data analytics into their daily operations—processing nationwide datasets more efficiently and improving the quality of reporting and decision-making.
According to Inuwa, the programme has been both impactful and well received. “It’s been a great journey. We’ve trained 35 participants here, and the training has been very well received,” he noted, expressing optimism that the initiative will significantly enhance the Commission’s ability to manage critical data collected across MDAs.
The transformation at the Federal Character Commission reflects a broader national ambition: building a modern public service driven by data, technology, and efficiency. As Nigeria seeks sustained economic growth and inclusive development, institutional effectiveness becomes paramount.
By strengthening digital literacy within government institutions, NITDA is not only improving technical capacity but also reshaping governance culture, encouraging evidence-based decision-making, accountability, and transparency.
The FCC’s shift toward a data-driven oversight model could serve as a template for other public institutions grappling with similar operational challenges. In an era where information is power, the ability to harness data responsibly and efficiently is essential for credible governance.
As Nigeria advances its digital transformation agenda, initiatives like this demonstrate that reform does not always require sweeping legislation or dramatic restructuring. Sometimes, meaningful change begins with equipping public servants with the skillsand the tools they need to do their jobs better.
And in the halls of the Federal Character Commission, the hum of new laptops may well signal the beginning of a more transparent and technology-enabled chapter in Nigeria’s public service story.
