The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to digitizing 75% of government services by 2027 through the creation of a one-stop-shop digital portal. This initiative aligns with Presidential directives and is being actively pursued by key stakeholders to enhance government service delivery.
The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, disclosed this during a meeting with a delegation from the Ukrainian Embassy in Nigeria, led by Ambassador Ivan Kholostenko, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja. The discussions focused on potential collaborations between Nigeria and Ukraine to improve efficiency, transparency, and trust in government processes.
NITDA’s Role in E-Government Transformation
Despite previous efforts to establish a centralized e-government platform, such as OneGov.net, Inuwa emphasized that NITDA has been instrumental in developing design frameworks, standard guidelines, and implementation strategies for a more effective digital governance model.
“We have conducted extensive research on successful digital government initiatives in countries like the UK and Kenya. While models may not be directly transferable, we can learn from their experiences to build a system that meets Nigeria’s unique needs,” Inuwa explained.
Legal Frameworks and API Integration
To facilitate the smooth rollout of digital government services, Inuwa stressed the need for a strong legal framework. He noted that successful digital transformation models often rely on laws mandating API-driven service delivery, where government agencies provide services through dedicated digital platforms.
“If we want to achieve this vision, we must enact the necessary legal frameworks to institutionalize the process and drive effective digital transformation,” he added.
Global Alignment and Strategic Partnerships
NITDA is also working closely with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to ensure that Nigeria’s digital governance strategy aligns with global best practices. This engagement is expected to bring valuable insights into structuring Nigeria’s digital transformation roadmap.
According to Inuwa, the digitalization of government services will enhance efficiency, curb corruption, and promote transparency, ultimately creating a seamless and citizen-friendly digital governance experience.
Ukraine’s Digital Governance Model
Highlighting Ukraine’s success in digital transformation, Ambassador Kholostenko introduced Diia, a comprehensive digital platform that integrates state registers and databases, enabling citizens to access all government services in one place.
As Nigeria advances its e-government agenda, the country is set to leverage international partnerships and global best practices to streamline service delivery and enhance governance through digital innovation.
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