The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has commenced a training programme for 1,000 civil servants from various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) on information technology (IT) project clearance processes. The initiative aligns with the presidential priority areas of reforming the economy for sustained inclusive growth and improving governance for effective service delivery by creating a digitally capable public sector workforce to drive the nation’s digital transformation agenda.
The capacity-building programme, targeting ICT, budget, finance, and planning officers of Federal public institutions, was launched at the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) in Kubwa, Abuja. The training, conducted in batches, aims to equip participants with essential knowledge, skills and best practices to enhance collaborative planning, budgeting and management of ICT systems for better acquisition, deployment, operation and sustainability in the public sector.
Speaking at the opening session themed “Empowering Public Sector ICT Excellence through Strategic Planning and Effective Funding,” the director-general of NITDA, Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi emphasised the importance of strategic planning and funding in strengthening public sector service delivery.
Represented by Mr. Oladejo Olawunmi, director of IT infrastructure solutions, Abdullahi reiterated NITDA’s commitment to digital transformation through the implementation of its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2.0. He noted that the plan aligns with national priorities and focuses on talent development, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, innovation and policy enablement to foster a sustainable digital economy.
He also highlighted key challenges hindering digital transformation in the public sector, including: Lack of collaboration among stakeholders, short-term project planning, poor ICT infrastructure maintenance, software licensing issues and insufficient capacity-building programmes.
According to him, these challenges have led to suboptimal outcomes in government-led digital initiatives and the need for better integration of modern trends such as cloud computing, remote support, and enterprise network services in project planning.
Inuwa disclosed that NITDA has strengthened its IT project clearance process to ensure that digital initiatives are well-conceptualised, planned and executed in alignment with national digital transformation objectives.
“While there have been notable achievements, only 12 per cent of Federal Public Institutions (FPIs) comply with the IT clearance process. This highlights the need for a whole-of-government approach to align fully with national digital transformation goals,” he stated.
He urged civil servants to ensure effective resource allocation to prioritise projects that yield measurable outcomes, stressing that prudent financial management is key to the success of digital initiatives.
“We will explore how to optimize budgeting processes, improve financial oversight and build systems that ensure transparency and accountability. This event has been designed for your professional development, featuring expert-led sessions, interactive discussions and practical case studies that will equip you with actionable knowledge,” he added.
The training programme aims to enhance participants’ expertise in strategic planning, monitoring, evaluation, and financial management to drive efficiency in public sector IT projects.
Abdullahi reminded participants of their crucial role in managing resources, planning and implementing programmes, which directly impact service delivery and governance.
“Each of you plays a vital role in resource management, project implementation, and service delivery to our communities. Together, you form the backbone of efficient and transparent governance,” he concluded.
The NITDA training initiative underscores the government’s commitment to capacity-building and digital transformation, ensuring that civil servants are well-equipped to implement IT projects effectively and contribute to Nigeria’s digital economy growth.
