The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) are set to strengthen collaboration as part of efforts to align Nigeria’s digital transformation drive with effective media regulation.
This formed the focus of discussions when the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, received his NBC counterpart, Mr Charles Ebuebu, on a courtesy visit aimed at exploring strategic partnerships across the media and technology landscape.
Inuwa noted that Nigeria’s digital ecosystem is evolving rapidly, making it impossible to separate innovation from regulation. He described digital transformation as a continuous journey rather than a one-time intervention, stressing the need for constant improvement, institutional flexibility, and clearly defined goals.
He explained that NITDA had deliberately restructured itself from a conventional public service institution into a more agile and technology-driven organisation. According to him, the agency had to confront deeply rooted bureaucratic practices by prioritising mindset change, capacity building, and a culture that encourages innovation, collaboration, and accountability.
The NITDA boss said the agency’s transformation strategy is anchored on people, processes, and technology, adding that technology alone cannot deliver results without skilled personnel and efficient workflows. He disclosed that NITDA carried out cultural audits and reorientation programmes to create a work environment where staff can freely share ideas, challenge processes, and collaborate across departments without fear.
Inuwa revealed that the agency documented hundreds of internal processes and streamlined them to eliminate inefficiencies and excessive approvals, a move that empowered departments, improved service delivery, and laid the foundation for automation. He added that all staff were trained in artificial intelligence, with a focus on using AI to enhance productivity and transition from manual operations to smarter, AI-enabled systems.
He also said NITDA’s approach to technology adoption is driven by clear business value rather than trends, noting that digital tools must support defined objectives and measurable outcomes. As part of knowledge sharing, he disclosed that the agency has developed a digital transformation playbook, which it is prepared to share with NBC and other public institutions.
To deepen collaboration, Inuwa proposed areas of partnership including capacity-building programmes, access to digital literacy initiatives developed with global technology partners, and technical support to help modernise regulatory frameworks in line with emerging digital and media realities.
In his remarks, NBC Director General Charles Ebuebu welcomed the move for closer ties, describing the collaboration as timely given the increasing convergence of media, technology, and data governance. He stressed that formal cooperation between NITDA and NBC is essential to effectively regulate the digital media space, support local content development, and protect Nigeria’s cultural and national interests in a fast-changing digital environment.
Both agencies expressed confidence that a strengthened partnership would enhance innovation, improve regulatory effectiveness, and support Nigeria’s broader digital transformation agenda.