Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), recently hosted Mr Charles Ebuebu, Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), to discuss potential collaborations to advance digital transformation and regulatory frameworks in Nigeria’s media and technology sectors.
During their meeting, Inuwa emphasised the essential link between digital transformation and regulation in Nigeria’s evolving digital landscape. He noted that digital transformation is an ongoing journey requiring continuous improvement, strategic goal-setting, and organisational adaptability.
Inuwa outlined NITDA’s commitment to moving from a conventional civil service structure to a high-performing public sector organisation. He acknowledged that many staff members had come from traditional civil service backgrounds, which created entrenched bureaucratic mindsets. This understanding prompted a deliberate initiative to shift organisational culture.
“Over 70% of our staff hail from public service, and we recognised the need to change this narrative by focusing on people, reshaping mindsets, and promoting a culture of innovation and accountability,” he stated.
NITDA’s transformation strategy is built on three key pillars: people, processes, and technology. Inuwa stressed that advanced technology alone cannot deliver value without skilled personnel and efficient processes.
He also discussed the agency’s cultural reorientation initiative aimed at fostering an environment where all staff can contribute ideas and collaborate without fear of reprisal. “Creating psychological safety was critical for staff at all levels,” he explained.
Inuwa reiterated that a strong culture is vital for implementing any strategy. He remarked, “No matter how good a strategy is, poor culture will hinder execution.”
He further elaborated on NITDA’s integrated framework, encompassing people, processes, culture, content, and technology, enabling the agency to address bureaucratic tendencies such as rigid hierarchies and excessive reliance on leadership directives.
As a result of these reforms, NITDA has achieved trust-based delegation and improved inter-departmental collaboration. Inuwa highlighted that the agency documented over 396 internal processes, streamlining them to eliminate inefficiencies. This approach has empowered departments to manage routine tasks independently, allowing leadership to focus on strategic priorities.
Ultimately, this optimisation has laid the foundation for increased automation and the integration of digital tools, enabling NITDA to better serve Nigeria’s dynamic digital ecosystem.
