Nigeria is taking bold steps to strengthen digital governance across Africa, signaling its unwavering commitment to regional cooperation and innovation. The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Inuwa, emphasized that research, collaboration, and digital literacy remain central to achieving inclusive development across the continent. Speaking shortly after the 18th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance 2025, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, he highlighted how technology continues to redefine public service delivery and national competitiveness.
According to Inuwa, technology now serves as the foundation for building resilient societies, and Nigeria intends to lead this transformation through effective policies and human capital development. He explained that the country’s digital journey focuses on creating systems that promote transparency, accountability, and economic growth. With each new initiative, the government seeks to expand access to technology, enabling citizens to participate fully in the evolving digital economy. This drive, he noted, aligns with the broader African vision of leveraging technology to bridge inequality gaps and improve governance outcomes.
During the conference, experts, policymakers, and innovators from various countries shared insights on how to make digital governance more inclusive and efficient. The Nigerian delegation used the platform to showcase several homegrown solutions designed to strengthen service delivery and enhance public trust in government institutions. Inuwa stated that through partnerships with academia, the private sector, and civil society, Nigeria has been able to push boundaries in data protection, digital literacy, and e-government transformation. He emphasized that the agency remains dedicated to ensuring that digital tools improve the lives of ordinary citizens rather than widen social divides.
He also noted that effective digital governance goes beyond technology adoption; it demands a deliberate investment in skills and education. In his view, building a digitally literate population ensures that innovation thrives and that every citizen benefits from technological advancement. He called on African nations to share knowledge, develop regional frameworks, and support one another in implementing digital reforms that meet global standards. Such collaboration, he added, will foster stronger integration, sustainable economies, and better governance practices across the continent.
The conference further provided an opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate its progress in implementing key national digital policies. Inuwa mentioned that initiatives like the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy continue to drive the country toward a fully digital economy. He explained that the policy aims to align every government process with technology-driven systems, allowing greater efficiency and improved citizen engagement. Nigeria’s participation in international forums, he added, reinforces its commitment to global cooperation and its readiness to contribute to a digitally empowered Africa.
Inuwa concluded by stressing that digital transformation represents both a challenge and an opportunity for Africa. For him, success will depend on visionary leadership, strong institutions, and collective effort. He expressed confidence that, through sustained collaboration and continuous innovation, Africa will not only close its digital divide but also emerge as a leader in the global digital space. Nigeria’s focus remains clear: to ensure that technology serves as a tool for empowerment, inclusiveness, and progress for all its people.
This renewed determination underlines a future where digital governance becomes the cornerstone of sustainable development across Africa, driven by shared knowledge, creativity, and unity of purpose.
