NITDA Unveils MSCG to Drive Nigeria’s Digital Economy Agenda
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has inaugurated a Multistakeholder Coordinating Group (MSCG) to promote policy coordination, inclusivity, and transparency in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.
Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja on Wednesday, Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of NITDA, stated that collaboration and inclusivity is essential in building Nigeria’s digital future.
“We all have responsibility to maintain this position. That’s why we are setting up and integrating this coordinating committee to make sure we build the right digital governance we need in Nigeria. What we are building is not just about us who are privileged.
“We need to look at the underserved and unserved communities, people with special needs, children and elderly people. How can they be part of this digital economy we are creating?”
According to him, the MSCG is designed to coordinate policies, ensure inclusivity, and foster continuous participation of non-state actors in Nigeria’s digital governance.
“It will also oversee, monitor, and align the national digital framework with Nigeria’s National Action Plan (NAP IV), a youth-driven framework under the Open Government Partnership (OGP) aimed at improving governance, transparency, and civic participation,” he said.
Beyond national priorities, the DG said MSCG seeks to align digital transformation with global best practices and human rights standards, ensuring that accountability, and sustainability remain at the core of the country’s digital future.
Read Also:
Inuwa highlighted the government’s efforts in promoting connectivity, digital literacy, and transparency, noting that NITDA cleared IT projects worth over ₦1.5 trillion last year, saving the government billions through improved oversight.
He stressed that the MSCG would ensure institutionalisation of frameworks and policies, preventing reforms from fading with leadership changes.
“We don’t want a situation whereby when leaders leave, that’s the end of the transformation. We want to institutionalise inclusivity, security, and privacy in our digital transformation initiative.
“President Bola Tinubu has made it clear he wants us to digitise government services, and the only way we can achieve that is through this kind of platform,” the DG added.
Aristotle Onumo, Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnership at NITDA, described the inauguration as a defining moment in Nigeria’s digital governance journey.
“It marks a shared commitment, a commitment to collaboration, transparency, and transformation. Nigeria is not only part of this digital revolution, we are increasingly becoming a leader. This recognition calls us to even greater responsibility.”
Onumo outlined four guiding principles for the MSCG to include, “Transitioning from regulatory authority to ecosystem administration, prioritising networks and partnerships over institutional silos, supporting talent development and innovation, and building platform-based governance rather than fragmented projects.”
He noted that the group would serve as a bridge between policy and implementation, bringing together government, private sector, civil society, academia, and development partners.
“The success of this initiative will not be defined by meetings alone, but by outcomes, partnerships, reforms, and impact. Together we shape our digital future and digital governance in Nigeria.”
By PRNigeria
