The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its resolve to help states build smarter, data-driven governments, as Abia State unveiled plans to integrate its public systems under a unified digital framework.
The renewed commitment came at the Future Enterprise & Data Architecture workshop themed “One Citizen, One Identity: Unlocking Data-Driven Governance.”The session gathered senior government officials, technology experts, and development partners to outline practical steps toward a connected, interoperable public sector.
The event, convened by the Abia State Ministry of Budget and Planning, was declared open by Governor Alex Otti, represented by Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu. Discussions centred on breaking down operational silos across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to improve coordination, increase internally generated revenue, and deliver faster, more transparent services to citizens.
Speaking during a panel discussion titled “Breaking Silos, Building One Government,” NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi—represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo—stated that collaboration remains the foundation of successful digital transformation.
According to him, building an integrated government system requires more than technology investments. It demands a cultural shift that encourages institutions to move from isolated operations to coordinated service delivery.
“Digital transformation succeeds when institutions embrace collaboration. Technology is only an enabler; mindset and culture determine the outcome,” he noted.
Inuwa highlighted NITDA’s broader national strategy, which prioritises digital literacy, enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, and interoperable public infrastructure. He disclosed that the Agency is targeting 70 percent digital literacy nationwide through structured interventions, including training millions of Nigerians across schools, workplaces, and communities.
He further explained that interoperability is central to building a unified government. By enabling seamless and secure data sharing among agencies, government can eliminate duplication, enhance transparency, and improve decision-making based on reliable data.
“When systems speak to each other in a secure and standardised format, governance becomes more efficient and citizen-focused,” he said, adding that such an environment also creates opportunities for startups and innovators to build value-added solutions using structured public data.
NITDA commended Abia State for taking proactive steps toward digital integration, noting that effective implementation of the initiative could position the state as a leading example of sub-national digital reform in Nigeria.
The workshop concluded with stakeholders agreeing on the need for sustained federal-state collaboration, policy alignment, and continued investment in digital capacity to translate the “One Citizen, One Identity” vision into measurable economic and governance outcomes.
