The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called for deeper collaboration among the federal, state, and local governments to fast-track digital transformation and inclusive economic growth across Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, Mrs. Hadiza Umar, NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications and External Affairs, quoted the agency’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, as making the call during a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Secretariat.
Inuwa said that achieving Nigeria’s digital vision required strong intergovernmental cooperation to ensure that digital transformation benefits every citizen.
“Our mandate is not just targeted at the federal government; it is truly national, which means it must embrace state and local governments,” he said.
The NITDA chief highlighted Nigeria’s remarkable progress in the digital space, recalling that when the agency was established, fewer than 500,000 Nigerians used computers, and ICT contributed less than 0.5 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Today, we have over 130 million internet users, and ICT now contributes more than 17 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP,” he said.
He attributed the growth to strategic partnerships between government institutions, private sector players, and international development partners.
Inuwa reiterated NITDA’s vision of building a digitally empowered nation that leverages technology to drive national prosperity, anchored on the agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP).
“No one succeeds in isolation. We must work as an ecosystem to create prosperity and inclusivity through technology,” he said.
The NITDA boss also invited state governments to participate in the upcoming International Conference on Electronic Governance (ICEGOV) and the Digital Nigeria Conference, aimed at promoting cross-state collaboration and knowledge sharing in digital governance.
He reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to leveraging partnerships to integrate technology into governance and improve public service delivery at all levels.
In his response, Dr. Abdulateef Shittu, Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), described the visit as a major step toward strengthening intergovernmental cooperation in advancing the nation’s digital economy agenda.
Shittu commended NITDA’s leadership in promoting digital transformation, noting that technology remains a key driver of competitiveness and inclusive development.
He stressed that digital transformation goes beyond administrative efficiency, describing it as a national imperative capable of improving public service delivery and expanding economic opportunities.
Shittu also cited the NGF’s ongoing initiatives — including the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Readiness Report and the Intelligent Revenue Authority Readiness Report — which are guiding reforms in digital identity, data exchange, payment systems, and trust infrastructure.
“With strong partnership and shared accountability, we can unlock a future where every Nigerian, urban or rural, has access to the tools and opportunities of the digital age,” Shittu said.
