The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called for a bold transformation of Nigeria’s public service, urging civil servants to embrace digital excellence to drive efficiency and citizen-focused service delivery.
The call was made during the official flag-off of the Civil Service Technology Empowerment for Capacity and High Performance (CIVTECH) Programme in Cross River State, aimed at equipping 2,000 civil servants with essential digital skills.
In a keynote address delivered by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, NITDA Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, the Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, stressed that traditional bureaucratic processes are no longer sufficient in an era defined by speed, data, and innovation.
“For decades, the public service has been the engine room of national development. Today, citizens expect government services to reflect the efficiency they experience in digital banking, e-commerce, and mobile platforms,” Inuwa said.
He noted that digital transformation is not just a technology agenda, but an economic, governance, and national competitiveness imperative. By adopting technology, public institutions can improve transparency, accelerate service delivery, and enhance citizen satisfaction.
Inuwa highlighted NITDA’s priorities, including promoting digital literacy, strengthening digital public infrastructure, automating government processes, enhancing cybersecurity, and encouraging the adoption of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence.
The Cross River State Head of Service, Mr. Orok Okon, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to equipping civil servants with digital competencies, describing human capital investment as essential to delivering high-quality, timely, and transparent services.
Director General of CRS MEDA, Mr. Great Ogban, expressed optimism about the partnership with NITDA, noting that the programme will fast-track the state’s transition to a technology-driven, paperless civil service.
Inuwa concluded: “The future of governance is digital. Together, we can transform governance, transform Nigeria, and build a public service worthy of the digital age.”
