FG unveils digital skills revolution for civil servants

By Blessing Emmanuel, Abuja

In a bid to enhance the digital competencies of civil servants, the Federal Government has launched a comprehensive digital literacy training programme.

The initiative, which is a collaboration between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, aimed at boosting productivity and efficiency in public service operations.

Speaking at the opening of a three-day digital literacy workshop in Abuja, NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, underscored the importance of people-driven digital transformation.

He said, “Digital transformation is a journey, not a destination. Technology alone cannot drive meaningful change without the active involvement of individuals,” he said.

Inuwa revealed NITDA’s ambitious target of achieving a 70% digital literacy rate by 2027 through its “Digital Literacy for All” (DL4ALL) programme.

He outlined several initiatives designed to reach this goal, including partnerships with educational institutions and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to train millions of Nigerians annually.

Inuwa said “By 2030, 35 to 45 percent of jobs in Nigeria will require digital competencies, according to the World Bank,” Inuwa added.

Also speaking at the workshop, the Permanent Secretary of the Career Management Office, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood represented the Head of Service of the Federation at the event.

She emphasized on the importance of transforming the civil service into a technology-driven and globally competitive workforce.

“This workshop is a pivotal opportunity to shape the future of Nigeria’s public service,” she stated.

Mahmood highlighted the strategic collaboration between the Head of Service and NITDA, describing it as a model of effective partnership. “This initiative underscores the importance of leveraging digital technology to drive progress and enhance service delivery across government ministries and agencies,” she added.

The workshop marks a significant step toward aligning Nigeria’s civil service with global best practices in digital literacy and technological adoption, fostering a digitally empowered workforce ready to meet the demands of the 21st century.