NITDA Advocates Digital Tools as Solution to Corruption and Inefficiency in Governance

At the recently concluded ITGov 2025 conference in Abuja, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, emphasized the transformative potential of technology in fighting corruption and enhancing transparency within Nigeria’s public sector. Represented by Dr. Olufemi Adeluyi, NITDA’s Assistant Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Abdullahi’s keynote address centered on the theme “Advancing Government Operations Through Digital Transformation.” He underscored how digital platforms such as e-procurement, electronic payment systems, and blockchain-based registries—can drastically reduce fraud by leaving audit trails that are difficult to manipulate. “Technology is not just a tool — it is a weapon against inefficiency and injustice,” he declared. Abdullahi cited World Bank data that shows countries with digitised procurement systems save an average of 20% in public spending, stressing that Nigeria must adopt these strategies to improve fiscal discipline and operational transparency.

Driving Reforms Through Collaboration and Automation

Under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, NITDA has collaborated with various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to design and implement Digital Transformation Plans. These plans focus on automating internal operations, adopting cloud solutions, and making data central to governance. Abdullahi noted that such transformation will not only save costs but also significantly enhance service delivery and citizen engagement.

One of the key messages was the importance of digital inclusion. With over 122 million Nigerians connected online and mobile penetration surpassing 90%, the government must deliver services where the people are—online, on-demand, and in real-time. Abdullahi called for massive investment in digital infrastructure, enhanced training for public servants, stronger inter-agency collaboration, and robust cybersecurity frameworks to support these reforms sustainably.

The conference also featured input from industry stakeholders like ManageEngine, a global IT management firm under Zoho Corporation. According to Srinivasan Rajasekar, the Country Manager for Nigeria and Regional Head of West African operations, ManageEngine offers more than 60 enterprise solutions, including tools for unified endpoint management, service automation, and network monitoring. These tools are designed to simplify and secure government IT operations and are offered via both cloud and on-premise deployments through local partner, Tranter IT.

Melanie Ayoola, Group Executive Director at Tranter IT, reinforced the need for automation, stating that unresolved IT issues in government institutions often delay public service delivery and reduce workforce efficiency. She noted that over half of Nigeria’s largest enterprises currently use ManageEngine solutions. With over 160 MDAs in attendance at ITGov 2025, the company aims to increase government adoption of its solutions by 30% before year-end.