By Citizens today are expecting government services to reflect the efficiency and convenience they experience in digital banking, e-commerce, and mobile platforms. As a result, there is the need for a bold transformation of Nigeria’s public service from traditional bureaucracy to digital excellence.
Speaking at the Civil Service Technology Empowerment for Capacity and High Performance (CIVTECH) Programme in Cross River State, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa emphasised that the future of governance depends on the ability of public institutions to embrace digital transformation.
At the event hosted by the Cross River State Government and organised by the Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (CRS MEDA), Director of the Stakeholders Management and Partnership department at NITDA, Dr Aristotle Onumo who represented Inuwa stated the programme, is designed to equip 2,000 civil servants with critical digital skills required to drive efficient and technology-enabled service delivery.
In his keynote address titled “From Bureaucracy to Digital Excellence: Leveraging Technology for a High-Performing Public Service,” the NITDA DG said: “For decades, the public service has been the engine room of national development but in an era defined by speed, data, and innovation, traditional bureaucratic processes are no longer sufficient to meet the expectations of citizens and businesses.”
According to him, the cost of maintaining outdated bureaucratic systems includes delayed decision-making, inefficiencies, limited transparency, and declining public trust.
However, he emphasised that digital excellence provides a pathway to faster service delivery, improved accountability, increased productivity, and enhanced citizen satisfaction.
“This is the shift from paperwork to performance, from process-driven governance to outcome-driven governance,” he added.
Inuwa further emphasised that while infrastructure and systems are important, people remain central to institutional transformation.
“Technology alone does not transform institutions. People do, and digital excellence requires public servants who are digitally skilled, innovation-driven, solution-oriented, performance-focused, and citizen-centric,” he said.
He said, “Technology frees you from repetitive administrative tasks so you can focus on strategic thinking, policy innovation, and national development.”
The State’s Head of Service, Mr Orok Okon, reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the capacity of its workforce. He emphasised that, in an era defined by rapid technological advancement, public institutions must equip their personnel with the skills and competencies necessary to deliver efficient, technology-enabled services.
According to him, investing in human capital is essential not only for improving internal administrative processes but also for ensuring that citizens receive timely, transparent and high-quality service across all sectors.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General of CRS MEDA, Mr Great Ogban, expressed appreciation to the Governor and the Head of Service of the state for their consistent commitment to technology-driven workforce development.
He encouraged all shortlisted trainees to show full dedication, emphasising that their participation aligns with the state’s goal of transitioning toward a fully paperless civil service.
He expressed strong optimism about the state’s growing partnership with NITDA, noting that such collaboration will play a pivotal role in accelerating the digital transformation of Cross River State.
He assured that the joint efforts between the state government and NITDA will not only enhance the quality of digital training provided to civil servants, but also to help fast-track the transition toward a more efficient and technology-driven civil service.
