The Federal government has emphasised the urgent need to fast-track the deployment of broadband infrastructure, including fibre-optic networks and rural connectivity initiatives, particularly in underserved and remote areas across the country.
Kashifu Inuwa, director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), made the call during his keynote address at the 2025 ITGOV Conference, held on Thursday in Abuja. The annual one-day event was organised by Tranter IT in collaboration with ManageEngine.
Inuwa, represented by Femi Adeluyi his Technical Assistant, , said that the world was witnessing a digital revolution that was redefining the way that governments function.
He said that the Nigerian government had embarked on a journey to leverage digital transformation to drive development and growth.
Inuwa emphasized that governments worldwide are recognizing digital transformation as a necessity rather than a luxury.
Citing the 2023 UN E-Government Survey, he noted that over 70% of countries have improved their digital governance, with global leaders like Estonia, South Korea, and the UAE not just digitizing services, but fundamentally transforming government operations.
Read also: Nigeria may miss 70% broadband penetration target by 2025, experts say
He explained that adopting citizen focused platforms, using data to inform policy, and ensuring services are inclusive and resilient.
The director general further highlighted that NITDA, in line with the president’s digital agenda, is leading reforms across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) through the Digital Transformation Working Group (DTWG), focusing on automation, cloud adoption, improved service delivery, and data-driven governance.
He stressed that digital transformation goes beyond technology, it’s about creating a responsive and adaptive government. With the right investments and coordination, he said, Nigeria has the potential to become a digital governance leader in Africa.
Dasuki Arabi, Director General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), called on both federal and state governments to maintain a unified approach by aligning their goals and working collaboratively.
Arabi, was represented by Sulola Johnson, Director of Strategy, Innovation, and Research at BPSR, Arabi emphasized the importance of ongoing data sharing and system coordination among government bodies to ensure efficient and consistent service delivery to Nigerians, no matter where they live.
He highlighted BPSR’s commitment to training 500,000 public servants in digital literacy and emerging technologies, aiming to build a workforce capable of managing and sustaining digital systems for long-term success.
“In our fast-changing digital world, IT automation is no longer optionalt’s essential for effective governance,” he said.
“Automation helps cut through red tape, enhances service delivery, and strengthens accountability. It is central to the transformation we must collectively pursue.”
Arabi stressed that while digital tools are vital, real change depends on people. “We must invest in human capacity—the true drivers of innovation.”
Melanie Ayoola, Executive Director, Tranter Group, highlighted the growing adoption of ManageEngine a global IT automation platform—by Nigeria’s top enterprises, with 50% of the country’s largest companies already using its solutions.
She explained that the platform supports the management of tickets, events, and endpoints, helping organizations enhance productivity and reduce system downtime.
Ayoola noted, such tools are crucial for managing large workforces efficiently. In agencies with thousands of staff, even minor technical issues affecting a fraction of the workforce can significantly reduce overall productivity and negatively impact service delivery.
She stressed that IT automation is essential to maintaining consistent operational output in government institutions.
The event was theme: “Advancing Government Operations Through Digital Transformation”.
