By Joy Onuorah
To clean up Nigeria’s public sector tech space, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is taking its IT Project Clearance campaign right to the heart of federal governance.
With President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda focused on transforming governance and service delivery, NITDA is making sure every IT project across government institutions is transparent, cost-effective, and impactful.
And to make that happen, they’ve hit the road visiting key government offices including the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Office of the Auditor General of the Federation, and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) with a clear message: No more reckless IT spending.
Why It Matters: The Reviewed IT Clearance Guideline
At the center of the campaign is NITDA’s Reviewed IT Project Clearance Guidance Document; a modern, streamlined upgrade to the 2018 version.
It’s built to ensure government IT projects:
Align with national digital goals
Save costs
Avoid duplication
Promote interoperability
Prioritize transparency and accountability
This update isn’t just a bureaucratic refresh, it’s a tech accountability tool.
“We are building a digitised government service and government is one. We need to work together, work harmoniously, the same way IT systems work to deliver these services.” Kashifu Inuwa stated.
What’s Going Wrong with Government IT Projects?
According to NITDA’s Director General, 56% of government IT projects fail. Why?
“Because we go for the latest technology without designing before building, and we don’t consider the business value proposition we’re trying to deliver,” he said.
In many cases, contractors submit proposals, design, implement, and operate the systems with little oversight. This lack of checks has led to failed projects, wasted budgets, and limited national impact.
To fix this, Inuwa explained that the new guidelines focus on three solid steps:
Solution Design
Implementation
Quality Assurance
Going forward, only contractors with licensed and certified professionals across these stages will get government IT jobs.
“These measures are designed to eliminate corruption, prevent duplication, and ensure that government IT initiatives are structured to create meaningful change, fostering efficiency, equity, and fairness in public service.”
A Wake-Up Call from BPP
At the Bureau of Public Procurement, DG Dr. Adebowale Adedokun didn’t mince words:
“It is disheartening that organisations misuse IT projects to siphon public funds—resources that could otherwise be channeled towards impactful initiatives that can transform the country.”
Dr. Adedokun stressed the urgent need to standardize IT bidding documents and curb inflated costs.
He also urged NITDA to help build an IT Price Intelligence template, a benchmark that would guide IT procurement pricing across the board.
“We are not IT experts. If NITDA can help us with data on the prices of IT-related products which can serve as benchmark for pricing, it will go a long way in our review.”
He also called for capacity-building for IT staff within government, so they can confidently handle and supervise IT contracts without being misled.
Teamwork Makes Digital Work
NITDA and BPP are joining forces to create a working committee that will hammer out the practical steps for implementing the guidelines.
They’re also planning to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize this collaboration.
Meanwhile, at the Office of the Auditor General, Shaakaa Kanyitor Chira praised NITDA’s proactive approach:
“NITDA needs to be commended for its thoughtfulness for bringing the guideline forward for review and inputs.”
Chira pledged that the Auditor General’s Office will conduct performance audits once the policy is live—to track whether the guideline is making a difference.
At the Accountant General’s Office, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi expressed support too, promising to integrate the reviewed guidelines into federal financial processes.
Looking Ahead: Smarter Spending, Better Service
By presenting the reviewed IT Clearance Guideline, NITDA aims to:
Enhance inter-agency collaboration
Ensure smarter budgeting
Deliver a digitally transformed government that works
This isn’t a one-off effort either. NITDA’s original 2018 guideline has already helped save over ₦300 billion in government spending.
Now, with renewed energy and presidential backing, the agency is on a mission to make every naira spent on IT count.
