The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have formed a Joint Task Force on Digital Governance and Anti-Corruption. The new initiative aims to curb corruption risks in government IT projects, enforce compliance with NITDA’s IT Project Clearance mandate, and ensure technology serves as a true tool for efficient governance.
The announcement came during a courtesy visit by NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, to the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. The collaboration aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and his vision to build a $1 trillion economy anchored on digital transformation, transparency, and ease of doing business.
Over the years, billions of naira have been lost to failed or abandoned IT projects across government institutions. Many agencies have bypassed NITDA’s clearance process, resulting in duplication, inflated contracts, weak standards, and wasted resources. Some of these projects became conduits for corruption through contract manipulation, use of unqualified vendors, and deliberate disregard for due process.
The Joint Task Force will serve as an enforcement mechanism that merges NITDA’s technical oversight with ICPC’s investigative and prosecutorial powers. Its core responsibilities include ensuring all Federal Public Institutions (FPIs) obtain mandatory clearance before starting IT projects, jointly monitoring and sanctioning defaulting agencies, and embedding NITDA’s monitoring tools into ICPC’s anti-corruption frameworks like the Ethics and Integrity Scorecard and System Study & Review.
Speaking during the meeting, NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, emphasized that the IT Project Clearance is a national safeguard designed to track government spending on technology, foster synergy, and ensure value for money. He explained that the clearance process guarantees that projects are properly conceptualized and executed in line with global best practices, reducing duplication and fostering a unified digital government.
ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, welcomed the partnership, stressing that corruption in IT procurement erodes public trust and hinders development. He assured that ICPC would leverage its powers to support NITDA’s mandate and hold erring officials and contractors accountable.
Both leaders agreed that the Joint Task Force would serve as a model for inter-agency collaboration, ensuring that digital transformation efforts are transparent, efficient, and aligned with Nigeria’s national development goals.
The establishment of this Task Force marks a major step toward building a cleaner, more accountable digital governance ecosystem—one where every naira invested in technology delivers value, supports innovation, and contributes to Nigeria’s journey toward a modern, competitive economy.
