NITDA Strengthens Public Sector Digital Transformation with IT Project Clearance Training

NITDA Trains 1,000 Civil Servants on IT Project Clearance Processes

In a bid to drive digital transformation and enhance governance in Nigeria’s public sector, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has launched a training programme for 1,000 civil servants on IT Project Clearance processes. This initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to economic reforms and improved service delivery, equipping public sector employees with the necessary digital skills.

The capacity-building programme, which targets ICT, Budget, Finance, and Planning Officers across Federal Public Institutions (FPIs), was inaugurated at the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) in Kubwa, Abuja. Conducted in batches, the training aims to foster collaborative planning, budgeting, and the efficient management of ICT systems, ensuring a seamless whole-of-government approach to digital projects.

The representative of the DG, NITDA Kashifu Inuwa, Mr Oladejo Olawumi, Director of Information Technology Infrastructure Solutions Department delivering the opening remarks at the capacity building programme for ICT, Budget, Finance and Planning Officers of Federal Public Institutions, held at the eGovernment Centre, Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN), Kubwa, Abuja.

Speaking at the opening session, NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, emphasized the pivotal role of strategic planning and funding in strengthening public service delivery. Represented by Mr. Oladejo Olawunmi, the agency’s Director of IT Infrastructure Solutions, Inuwa reiterated NITDA’s commitment to digital transformation through the implementation of its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2.0.

“This plan aligns with national priorities and is anchored on strategic pillars such as talent development, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, innovation, and policy enablement to foster a sustainable digital economy,” Inuwa stated.

Despite significant strides, Inuwa acknowledged persistent challenges hindering digital transformation in the public sector, including inadequate collaboration, short-term project planning, poor ICT infrastructure maintenance, software licensing issues, and limited capacity-building efforts. He noted that these barriers have contributed to suboptimal outcomes in government-led digital initiatives.

Highlighting a key concern, he revealed that only 12 percent of FPIs currently comply with IT project clearance processes, underscoring the need for a more coordinated approach. “While there have been notable achievements, only 12 percent of Federal Public Institutions comply with the process, necessitating a whole-of-government approach for full alignment with national digital transformation goals,” he stressed.

To address these issues, NITDA has reinforced its IT projects clearance process, ensuring that digital initiatives are well-conceptualized, planned, and executed in alignment with intended objectives. He further advised public sector employees to integrate modern trends such as cloud computing, remote support, and enterprise network services into project planning to mitigate project stagnation and failure.

Inuwa also underscored the importance of effective resource allocation in ensuring public sector initiatives are adequately funded and executed to deliver tangible value. “We will explore how to optimize budgeting processes, improve financial oversight, and build systems that ensure transparency and accountability,” he noted.

Encouraging participants to take full advantage of the sessions, Inuwa highlighted the critical role of ICT, project, finance, and planning officers in government operations. “Each of you plays a crucial role in the management and distribution of resources, the planning and implementation of programmes, and ultimately the delivery of services to our communities. Together, you form the backbone of efficient and transparent governance,” he concluded.

With expert-led sessions, interactive discussions, and practical case studies, the training is designed to provide actionable insights that participants can apply in their respective roles. The initiative marks another step in NITDA’s efforts to foster digital excellence and ensure Nigeria’s public sector is equipped for the future.