The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has emphasised that digital skills are fundamental to building an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-ready public service, stating that the success of government reforms and Nigeria’s digital economy depends on a workforce equipped to harness emerging technologies.
Speaking at a Digital Skills Masterclass held on Thursday in Abuja, Malam Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of NITDA, said civil servants must continually develop their digital competencies to improve productivity and deliver more efficient public services. The masterclass was organised by NITDA in collaboration with Meta for selected officers from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Represented by NITDA’s Director of Digital Development Services, Olawumi Dejo, Inuwa said Nigeria’s ambition to build a thriving digital economy requires a public service with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to embrace modern technologies and strengthen governance.
He explained that NITDA developed the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) to provide a standardised roadmap for digital skills development across the country. According to him, the framework aligns with international best practices while addressing Nigeria’s unique development needs.
Inuwa said the framework is built around six core competency areas: device and software operations, information and data literacy, digital content creation, communication and collaboration, digital safety, and problem-solving.
According to him, the framework will enhance civil servants’ ability to use digital technologies effectively, safeguard government information, strengthen collaboration across MDAs, and improve public service delivery.
“Technology alone cannot transform institutions. Real transformation happens when people acquire the right digital skills to rethink processes, improve productivity, and deliver better outcomes,” Inuwa said.
He described continuous learning as indispensable at a time of rapid technological advancement, particularly with the growing adoption of Artificial Intelligence. He urged civil servants to embrace continuous upskilling and reskilling to remain effective in their roles and adapt to the evolving demands of the workplace.
Inuwa also encouraged participants to cascade the knowledge acquired during the programme to their colleagues through a train-the-trainer approach, noting that this would accelerate digital capacity building across the public service.
He further disclosed that NITDA, in collaboration with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, has trained more than 53,000 civil servants in digital skills, describing the initiative as a significant milestone in building an AI-ready, digitally competent public service.
Also speaking, Meta’s Public Policy Lead for Anglophone West Africa, Victoria Oloni, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda through its partnership with NITDA.
Oloni said the increasing adoption of digital tools across government demonstrates that the public service is steadily transitioning from analogue to digital operations. However, she stressed that the next phase should prioritise institution-wide digital transformation rather than isolated technology adoption by individual officers.
She added that digital transformation is a continuous journey that demands sustained learning, collaboration, and openness to innovation.
Oloni urged participants to make the most of the training, noting that a digitally empowered workforce is essential to building a more efficient, responsive, and citizen-centred public service capable of supporting Nigeria’s long-term digital economy ambitions.
