The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has called for a decisive shift from rigid bureaucratic systems to a digitally driven public service, as he joined the official launch of the Civil Service Technology Empowerment for Capacity and High Performance (CIVTECH) Programme in Cross River State.
The initiative, hosted by the Cross River State Government and organised by the Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency, is set to train 2,000 civil servants in critical digital competencies aimed at improving efficiency and service delivery across ministries and agencies.
Delivering a keynote address titled *“From Bureaucracy to Digital Excellence: Leveraging Technology for a High-Performing Public Service,”* Inuwa—represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnership at NITDA—stressed that governance in the digital age demands agility, innovation, and data-driven systems.
He noted that while the civil service has long been central to national development, traditional administrative processes can no longer keep pace with the expectations of citizens who are accustomed to seamless digital experiences in banking, e-commerce, and mobile services.
Citing the economic impact of technology, the NITDA DG highlighted that Nigeria’s ICT sector accounted for nearly 20 percent of real GDP in 2024, reinforcing the role of digital innovation as a major engine of economic growth and global competitiveness.
According to him, digital transformation extends beyond technology adoption. “It is not just a technology agenda; it is an economic, governance, and national competitiveness agenda,” he said, adding that outdated systems often result in slow decision-making, inefficiency, weak transparency, and declining public trust.
He explained that embracing digital excellence would enable faster service delivery, improved accountability, higher productivity, and better citizen satisfaction, marking a transition from paperwork-based administration to performance-oriented governance.
Inuwa underscored that institutional reform ultimately depends on people, not just infrastructure. He assured participants that technology is designed to empower civil servants rather than replace them, freeing them from repetitive tasks and enabling them to focus on policy innovation and strategic development.
He also outlined NITDA’s broader priorities, including expanding digital literacy, strengthening digital public infrastructure, automating government operations, enhancing cybersecurity and data protection, and promoting the responsible adoption of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence within public institutions.
Commending Cross River State for embracing reform, he described the CIVTECH programme as aligned with the Federal Government’s vision of building a transparent, efficient, and citizen-focused public service.
Declaring the programme open, the State Head of Service, Mr. Orok Okon, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to workforce development, stressing that equipping civil servants with digital skills is essential for delivering timely and high-quality services.
In his welcome remarks, the Director General of CRS MEDA, Mr. Great Ogban, expressed appreciation to the state leadership for prioritising technology-driven capacity building. He encouraged participants to take full advantage of the training, noting that the initiative supports the state’s ambition to transition to a fully paperless civil service.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that sustained collaboration between NITDA and Cross River State will accelerate sub-national digital transformation and strengthen institutional capacity for long-term governance excellence.
