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Agency, Meta deepen digital capacity across MDAs, say human capital—not technology alone—will determine success of public sector reforms
NITDA’s Digital Skills Masterclass organised in collaboration with Meta
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed Nigeria’s ambition to build an inclusive digital economy and an AI-driven public sector. The Agency stressed that this vision can only be realized through a digitally skilled civil service.
It further emphasized that technology alone cannot transform government institutions without a workforce equipped with the right digital competencies.
The Agency stated that the success of ongoing government reforms hinges on the digital capabilities of civil servants. It noted that digital public service delivery and the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) will depend on this factor. Ultimately, the ability of civil servants to acquire, apply, and continuously upgrade digital skills will determine the effectiveness of these initiatives.
The position was made known by the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, during a Digital Skills Masterclass organised in collaboration with Meta for selected officers from MDAs. Abdullahi was represented at the event by NITDA’s Director of Digital Development Services, Olawumi Dejo.
Digital Skills Now Central to Public Sector Transformation
Addressing participants, Abdullahi said Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda requires more than investments in technology infrastructure. He noted that sustainable reforms can only be achieved by building the digital capabilities of government employees.
According to him, the public sector must evolve into a digitally empowered workforce capable of embracing emerging technologies, improving service delivery and driving innovation across government institutions.
“Technology alone cannot transform institutions. Real transformation happens when people acquire the right digital skills to rethink processes, improve productivity and deliver better outcomes,” he said.
He explained that digital literacy is increasingly becoming a strategic requirement for modern governance, particularly as governments worldwide adopt Artificial Intelligence, cloud computing, automation and data-driven decision-making.
National Digital Literacy Framework Provides Roadmap
Abdullahi disclosed that NITDA developed the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) as a national roadmap to standardise digital skills development across Nigeria.
The framework aligns with international best practices while addressing Nigeria’s unique digital development priorities.
The NDLF is structured around six core digital competency areas:
- Device and software operations
- Information and data literacy
- Digital content creation
- Communication and collaboration
- Digital safety and cybersecurity
- Digital problem-solving
According to the Director General, the framework is designed to improve the digital readiness of public institutions by enabling civil servants to use digital technologies effectively, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, protect government information and deliver more efficient public services.
AI Adoption Requires Continuous Upskilling
With Artificial Intelligence rapidly reshaping workplaces globally, Abdullahi urged civil servants to embrace lifelong learning by continuously reskilling and upskilling to remain relevant in an increasingly digital public service.
He noted that AI is transforming governance, policy implementation, service delivery and administrative processes, making digital competence an essential requirement rather than an optional skill.
He encouraged participants to become digital champions within their organisations by adopting a train-the-trainer approach that enables knowledge acquired during the masterclass to cascade across their respective MDAs.
According to him, widespread digital literacy across government will accelerate institutional reforms and strengthen Nigeria’s readiness for AI-powered governance.
Over 53,000 Civil Servants Trained in Digital Skills
Highlighting NITDA’s progress in building government digital capacity, Abdullahi disclosed that the Agency has already trained more than 53,000 civil servants in partnership with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
He described the initiative as a significant milestone in preparing Nigeria’s public service for the future of work and positioning government institutions to leverage emerging technologies more effectively.
The Agency, he said, remains committed to expanding digital learning opportunities that will equip public servants with practical technology skills needed to improve productivity, enhance policy implementation and strengthen public service delivery.
Meta Backs Nigeria’s Digital Government Vision
Reaffirming Meta’s commitment to Nigeria’s digital transformation journey, the company’s Public Policy Manager for Anglophone West Africa, Victoria Oloni, said government institutions are already making significant progress in adopting digital technologies.
She pointed to developments such as electronic salary payments, digital communication platforms and online collaboration tools as evidence that Nigeria’s public service is steadily transitioning from analogue systems to digital operations.
However, she observed that the next phase of reform should focus on achieving institution-wide digital transformation rather than isolated technology adoption by individual employees.
According to Oloni, meaningful digital transformation requires continuous learning, collaboration and openness to innovation.
She explained that the Digital Skills Masterclass was designed to equip public servants with practical digital competencies that improve communication. It is also designed to enhance productivity and citizen service delivery across government institutions.
Oloni urged participants to maximise the training opportunity. She noted that a digitally empowered workforce remains fundamental to building a more responsive, efficient and citizen-focused public sector.
Digital Workforce Seen as Foundation for Nigeria’s AI Economy
The Digital Skills Masterclass forms part of NITDA’s broader implementation of the National Digital Literacy Framework and its ongoing efforts to develop the human capital required to support Nigeria’s digital economy ambitions.
Industry analysts say the initiative reflects a growing recognition that digital transformation extends beyond deploying new technologies. There is now a fundamental acceptance that technology must reshape how government institutions operate.
Artificial Intelligence, automation, cloud computing, and digital public infrastructure are becoming increasingly central to governance worldwide. In response, governments across the globe are investing heavily in workforce development initiatives. These efforts aim to ensure that public servants possess the competencies needed to effectively manage complex digital ecosystems.
For Nigeria, building a digitally skilled civil service is expected to enhance public sector efficiency, and improve citizen engagement. It will also strengthen policy implementation and accelerate the delivery of technology-enabled public services.
Implications for Government, Civil Servants and Nigeria’s Digital Economy
NITDA’s renewed focus on digital skills development has far-reaching implications across the public sector and the wider economy.
For Government
Digitally competent civil servants will strengthen implementation of e-government initiatives. They will improve inter-agency collaboration and accelerate public sector reforms aimed at delivering more efficient and transparent services.
For Civil Servants
Continuous digital training will equip government employees with skills in AI, data literacy, cybersecurity and digital collaboration. It will also improve productivity while enhancing career development opportunities in an increasingly technology-driven workplace.
For Citizens
A digitally skilled public workforce is expected to translate into faster, more efficient and citizen-centric government services. This reduces bureaucratic delays and improves access to public services.
For Nigeria’s Digital Economy
Building digital capacity within government directly supports the Federal Government’s broader digital transformation agenda. This initiative creates an AI-ready public sector capable of driving innovation and supporting evidence-based policymaking. Ultimately, it strengthens investor confidence in Nigeria’s digital economy and its long-term potential.
Investing in People to Drive Digital Transformation
Nigeria is accelerating efforts to build a knowledge-driven economy. For this reason, NITDA maintains that investing in human capital will remain the cornerstone of successful digital transformation.
The Agency is strengthening digital literacy across government institutions and preparing civil servants for the era of Artificial Intelligence. These efforts are laying the foundation for a more innovative, agile, and technology-enabled public sector. Ultimately, this transformation will better equip Nigeria to support its long-term economic and governance aspirations.
