Port Harcourt: TECHzMagazine – News Desk
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has called on public institutions to reduce their dependence on off-the-shelf software and instead prioritise homegrown digital solutions tailored to address Nigeria’s unique operational needs.
Speaking in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Inuwa delivered his remarks during a session themed “Nigeria First, Procurement Last: How E-commerce is Rewriting Contracts”. He emphasised that modernising public procurement must extend beyond mere administrative processes. Instead, he described it as a critical mechanism for building resilient public institutions, enforcing rigorous standards, and driving a highly competitive digital economy.
Highlighting the scale of government investments in technology, Inuwa disclosed that NITDA reviewed 1,092 IT project proposals submitted by 326 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) between July 2023 and July 2026. These proposals were valued at more than ₦4.24 trillion. Following a rigorous vetting process, the agency cleared 1,056 projects worth ₦3.84 trillion. To ensure these technology investments yield measurable outcomes and adhere to required standards, Inuwa noted that NITDA is actively strengthening its IT Project Clearance Framework and advancing software assurance protocols.
According to the NITDA Director-General, the government’s “Nigeria First” agenda offers a strategic opportunity to leverage public procurement as a catalyst for local industry growth. By directing government spending inward, public institutions can create substantial market opportunities for indigenous technology companies and professionals, ensuring that public expenditure generates tangible national value.
Inuwa stressed that the future of digital procurement should not simply be about purchasing more technology. Rather, it must focus on developing the right solutions for specific national needs through local expertise, strong operational standards, and sustainable value. He concluded by urging public institutions to fully embrace indigenous technology solutions as a core strategy for strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy and maximizing the impact of public spending.
