NITDA Calls for Trust, Transparency and Accountability in Nigeria’s Digital Governance

Nigeria’s digital transformation will only succeed if it is built on trust, transparency, inclusion and accountability, according to the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) , Kashifu Inuwa CCIE.

Inuwa made the remarks at the Multi-Stakeholder Coordinating Group (MSCG) meeting on Digital Governance in Abuja, themed “Strengthening Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration for Inclusive Digital Governance in Nigeria.” He was represented at the meeting by Dr. Aderite Olunumo, Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnerships.

The NITDA Director-General said the focus of Nigeria’s digital governance efforts must shift from simply asking what technology can do to determining how technology should be governed. He raised questions around accountability when digital systems fail, transparency in algorithmic decision-making, protection of privacy while encouraging innovation, and ensuring that digital services are accessible to citizens in rural communities as well as those in major cities.

Using artificial intelligence (AI) for government grant disbursement as an example, Inuwa said authorities must clearly establish who is responsible for approving such systems, what data they use and how their decisions are made. He added that citizens must also have mechanisms to challenge decisions made by automated systems.

He described digital governance as “the steering wheel, traffic rules and brakes” for Nigeria’s digital transformation, stressing that effective governance provides the safeguards needed to ensure the country moves forward safely and responsibly.

Inuwa also emphasised that government cannot achieve an inclusive digital Nigeria on its own. He called for stronger collaboration among government, the private sector, civil society, academia, technology companies and citizens to build a digital ecosystem that is inclusive, accountable and responsive to the needs of Nigerians.