NITDA Launches Multi-Stakeholder Task Force to Enhance Digital Governance and Transparency
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has officially inaugurated a Multi-Stakeholder Coordinating Group (MSCG) on digital governance, aiming to deepen transparency, accountability, and inclusion within Nigeria's digital space. This strategic initiative follows Nigeria's recent global recognition at the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Global Conference in Spain, where the country received prestigious awards for excellence in digital governance.
Building on International Recognition
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held in Abuja, NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, emphasized that the international accolades have placed a new responsibility on Nigeria to sustain and improve its digital governance reforms. He highlighted that Nigeria's participation at the summit in Spain led to awards for both national and regional achievements, stressing that this honor must translate into stronger commitment domestically.
Inuwa noted that Nigeria's digital transformation agenda is firmly anchored on key legal and policy instruments, including the Data Protection Act, the draft National e-Governance and Digital Economy Bill, as well as internal governance frameworks such as the Nigerian Government Enterprise Architecture and interoperability standards. He asserted that these tools have significantly contributed to Nigeria's growing global reputation, underscoring that collaboration across sectors is now critical to sustaining progress.
Institutionalizing Reforms and Preventing Disruptions
The Director-General explained that the newly established coordinating group is designed to institutionalize reforms and prevent policy disruptions that often accompany leadership transitions. "We must ensure that what we are building is sustained beyond individuals and institutions. The goal is to embed inclusivity, security, privacy, and accountability into every layer of our digital governance framework," he stated.
Inuwa also highlighted ongoing reforms in public sector IT procurement, revealing that NITDA's IT clearance process has saved the federal government over N319 billion through improved project scrutiny and collaboration with relevant financial oversight bodies. He expressed concern over the high failure rate of government IT projects, attributing it to weak design processes and poor understanding of system requirements prior to procurement.
Stricter Guidelines for IT Projects
To address these challenges, the agency is introducing stricter guidelines that require certified system designs, professional implementation, and independent quality assurance before the deployment of IT projects across ministries, departments, and agencies. "Digital transformation must be properly designed, professionally executed, and independently verified. That is how we avoid waste and ensure value for money," Inuwa added.
Shift to Coordinated Ecosystem-Driven Governance
Earlier at the event, Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships at NITDA, Dr. Aristotle Onumo, stated that the inauguration marks a significant shift from isolated institutional efforts to coordinated ecosystem-driven governance. He pointed out that digital transformation globally is now driven by partnerships rather than standalone institutions, noting that Nigeria's growing recognition in digital governance reflects the strength of collaboration among stakeholders.
Onumo explained that NITDA's approach is guided by platform-based governance and networked value creation, rather than fragmented institutional interventions. He added that the MSCG will serve as a bridge between policy formulation and implementation, ensuring that reforms under the Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) and the National Action Plan IV (NAP IV) translate into measurable outcomes.
Alignment with Global Principles
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in Nigeria, Dr. Gloria Ahmed, commended NITDA for its leadership in advancing open and inclusive governance reforms. She stated that the establishment of the MSCG aligns with global principles of transparency, accountability, and citizen participation, which are central to the OGP framework.
According to Dr. Ahmed, the success of ongoing reforms, including commitments under NAP IV, will depend on sustained multi-sector participation and effective coordination mechanisms such as the newly inaugurated group. She further emphasized that Nigeria's broader governance reforms, including the National Development Plan and ward-based development initiatives, require strong digital systems and stakeholder engagement to achieve tangible results.
The inauguration concluded with a call for sustained collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria's digital governance reforms remain inclusive, transparent, and impactful, reinforcing the nation's commitment to digital excellence on the global stage.
