Tech Vital in Tackling Corruption in Government – NITDA

 

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reiterated the importance of leveraging technology to address corruption within Nigeria’s public sector. According to the agency, embracing digital transformation across all arms of government is not just a matter of efficiency—it is a key strategy for reducing fraud, enhancing transparency, and building trust in public institutions.

Speaking at a recent conference themed “Advancing Government Operations Through Digital Transformation,” NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, stated that digital tools have the potential to create systems that are far less susceptible to manipulation. He emphasized that widespread corruption, often enabled by manual processes and poor accountability frameworks, can be curtailed significantly through automation and data transparency.

Abdullahi noted that technology enables the establishment of robust systems that track, monitor, and report transactions in real time. With tools like e-procurement, e-payment systems, digital identity verification, and blockchain-based registries, it becomes more difficult for corrupt practices to go undetected. These systems leave audit trails that can be easily reviewed by oversight agencies, making fraud and embezzlement far riskier and easier to trace.

Referencing data from the World Bank, Abdullahi highlighted that countries which have adopted digital procurement systems save an average of 20% in public expenditure. For Nigeria, this represents billions of naira that could be redirected toward critical infrastructure and social services, rather than being lost to inefficiencies and graft.

Despite the promise of digital transformation, Nigeria has struggled with a high failure rate in government technology projects. According to NITDA, 56% of public IT projects fail due to poor planning, lack of oversight, and inadequate technical capacity. In response, the agency has revised its IT Project Clearance Guidelines, introducing a stricter three-phase approach: solution design, implementation, and quality assurance. Each phase now requires certified professionals and valid licensing before a project can be approved, with the goal of improving accountability, interoperability, and cost-effectiveness.

This new framework aims to prevent the common pitfalls of haphazard project execution and promote a standardized approach across all government agencies. NITDA believes that this proactive oversight will not only save public funds but also ensure that technology solutions are sustainable and aligned with national priorities.

In addition, the agency is working closely with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to develop an IT Price Intelligence Template. This initiative is designed to prevent the inflation of technology contracts by providing benchmark pricing for IT services and infrastructure. It also promotes the adoption of service-wide licenses for widely used software platforms like Microsoft and Oracle, a move expected to curb duplication and encourage cost-sharing among agencies.

Another cornerstone of NITDA’s anti-corruption strategy is the nationwide implementation of Digital Transformation Plans (DTPs) for ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). Under the supervision of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, these plans will drive the adoption of automation, cloud-based services, and data-driven governance. The goal is to reduce manual handling of processes, which often creates loopholes for misappropriation and procedural delays.

NITDA’s efforts reflect a broader shift in the government’s approach to public sector reform. By embedding technology into administrative systems, the government hopes to not only deter corruption but also improve the quality of service delivery to citizens. For example, digitizing land registries can eliminate the long-standing issue of double allocation and forged documents, while e-payment platforms ensure that funds reach intended beneficiaries without interference.

Experts have applauded these reforms, stating that digitization holds the key to unlocking Nigeria’s potential for good governance. However, they also caution that without political will, cybersecurity safeguards, and consistent funding, the full benefits of digital transformation may not be realized. There are also concerns about the digital divide and the need for capacity building, particularly at the grassroots level.

To address these challenges, NITDA is ramping up its training and awareness programs, targeting public servants, IT professionals, and procurement officers. The agency is also exploring partnerships with private sector players and international development organizations to support the rollout of digital infrastructure and increase technical know-how within MDAs.

Looking ahead, NITDA’s vision is clear: a transparent, efficient, and accountable government enabled by technology. As Nigeria continues to confront systemic corruption, the agency believes that the digital transformation of governance is not optional—it is essential.

 

With proper implementation, monitoring, and collaboration across all levels of government, the deployment of digital tools can serve as a powerful weapon against corruption. It offers Nigeria a realistic pathway to achieving cleaner governance, fiscal responsibility, and ultimately, public trust.