The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, has highlighted the pivotal role that digitizing the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) will play in intensifying the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
During a Courtesy Visit by ICPC staff, led by Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, Inuwa expressed NITDA’s commitment to collaborate with ICPC in digitizing its services, emphasizing that automation is an ongoing process involving the transformation of over 293 processes.
“We’re selecting these processes systematically to achieve our agency’s goals, and similar initiatives are in place for other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs),” stated the DG.
He went on to highlight NITDA’s extensive training programs and the establishment of a technical Working Group dedicated to training MDA representatives.
Inuwa shared success stories, illustrating how NITDA had assisted agencies like the Shippers Council and the ongoing collaboration with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
Emphasizing the need for optimized processes before automation, Inuwa stressed, “If your processes are not optimized and re-engineered, it will be difficult to automate your services.”
The Director-General, using the “NITDA Digital Transformation Playbook,” showcased the agency’s trajectory and outlined the 2P2CT Framework (People, Process, Content, Culture, and Technology) that propelled NITDA’s transformation.
Inuwa, reflecting on his early days as NITDA DG, shared how manual processes hindered productivity, leading to a strategic overhaul. “Corruption happens when there is human contact, and I believe if we can digitize government services, it will address the corruption challenges we have in the country,” Inuwa asserted.
He affirmed NITDA’s openness to supporting ICPC’s digitization journey and collaboration in critical areas. “Digital Transformation is a journey; it is not a one-off initiative,” he concluded.
ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, echoed the importance of technology in the fight against corruption. He expressed confidence that collaborating with NITDA to digitize ICPC processes would enhance transparency, accountability, and effectiveness, instilling confidence in the Nigerian people.
In essence, the partnership between NITDA and ICPC signifies a strategic move towards leveraging technology to bolster the nation’s anti-corruption efforts, reflecting a commitment to continuous improvement and transparency.