The director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi has underscored the role of automated systems in enhancing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)’s fight against corruption in the country.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by ICPC staff, led by its chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu, SAN, Abdullahi expressed NITDA’s readiness to collaborate with ICPC for the digitisation of its services, aiming to monitor and combat corrupt practices effectively.
Abdullahi emphasised that automation is an ongoing process, revealing that NITDA is working on automating over 293 processes gradually. He stated, “We do this for other ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and we have other initiatives in place to help them achieve digital transformation”.
The NITDA director-general outlined the agency’s training programmes and the establishment of a technical working group dedicated to training representatives from different MDAs. These representatives later become advocates for digital transformation within their organisations. Abdullahi cited examples of successful collaborations with agencies like the Shippers Council of Nigeria and the ongoing partnership with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
He stressed the importance of optimising and re-engineering processes before automation, asserting that technology can only be effective if users are ready to embrace it. Abdullahi shared NITDA’s digitisation journey, highlighting the “NITDA Digital Transformation Playbook” that guides the agency’s approach to automation.
Reflecting on the impact of human contact on corruption, Abdullahi asserted, “I believe [that] if we can digitise government services, it will really address the corruption challenges we have in the country.” He affirmed NITDA’s openness to supporting ICPC in its digitisation efforts and collaborating in critical areas, emphasising that digital transformation is an ongoing journey.
The ICPC chairman Aliyu acknowledged the importance of technology in the fight against corruption, stating, “Aligning or collaborating with NITDA to digitise our processes will boost our services and speed up deliverables”. He emphasised the potential of digitisation to make ICPC more transparent, accountable and effective, fostering public confidence in the commission.
