DG NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, receiving the award from Olusoji Apampa, leader OGP delegation.
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to open governance, transparency and inclusive digital development as the Open Government Partnership (OGP) team formally presented the award and certificate received at the OGP Global Summit Spain 2025 to the Agency’s leadership.
The Regional Award for advancing Open Digital Governance across Africa and the Middle East, reaffirming its leadership role in promoting open government principles and driving digital transformation across the region. Nigeria emerged as the overall global winner in the Digital Governance category in recognition of the country’s excellence in deploying digital tools and policies to strengthen government transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement.
These recognitions were largely attributed to initiatives led by NITDA in collaboration with civil society partners, Dataphyte, which showcased innovative and inclusive approaches to digital governance at the summit.
The summit, was organized in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, brought together 1,500 high-level representatives of governments, civil society leaders, and policymakers from around the world to exchange experiences, best practices, and progress on open government initiatives and implementation on key issues.
Inuwa, while receiving the OGP delegation at NITDA, described the recognition as a national honour rather than an institutional one, stressing that the award reflects Nigeria’s collective efforts across government, civil society and the private sector in advancing open governance principles through the digital space.
Such global recognition comes with heightened responsibility to deliver on commitments made under the OGP framework. “It’s not just about NITDA. It’s a national recognition, and every recognition comes with responsibility,” If we fail to execute the commitments we have made, it will not only affect our image locally but also at the international stage. This is not something NITDA can do in isolation, he said.
Digital transformation, transparency, economic diversification, job creation and efficient public service delivery remain central presidential priority areas, links the achievement directly to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Inuwa added.
NITDA DG, leveraged on digital technologies to deepen openness, and accountability aligns with national objectives of strengthening institutions, improving governance outcomes and building trust between government and citizens. Highlights the importance of collaboration, underscored the role of the OGP platform as a catalyst for a strong multi-stakeholder approach in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
“We need to leverage the OGP platform, expertise, your guidance, support and commitment to hand-hold us in delivering on these commitments,” He called on civil society organizations, development partners, the private sector and other government institutions to provide technical expertise, guidance and sustained engagement to ensure effective implementation of agreed commitments.
NITDA has already begun internal reviews of its OGP commitments and has tasked its representatives, including Dr Rousseau, to work with colleagues to develop a clear execution strategy. He further noted that “a multi-stakeholder approach in the digital space is critical to fostering a resilient ecosystem that delivers real value to citizens”, he explained
“We are humans. Oversight and collaboration help us stay focused. With commitment, nothing is impossible, and I believe these goals are achievable,” he added, assuring the delegation of NITDA’s readiness and political will to deliver on all agreed commitments. He proposed the creation of joint work streams with OGP stakeholders to support implementation, ensure accountability and keep all parties on track.
Inuwa, welcomed the idea of engaging the political leadership of OGP, including the Honourable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, with a view to briefing President Tinubu on the achievement. Celebrating milestones is important, as it reinforces morale and demonstrates that Nigeria’s efforts in digital governance are gaining global recognition.
“It’s also good when there are wins, we should celebrate, because we too never knew that the little things we are doing are noticed not just within Nigeria, but globally, to the extent of earning us this award,” he asserted.
He concluded by expressing gratitude to the Nigerian National OGP Secretariat and the global OGP leadership, reaffirming NITDA’s commitment to strengthening collaboration and building a more productive working relationship that will translate open governance principles into measurable national impact.
Mr Olusoji Apampa, In his remark, who led the OGP deelegation, said the honours were earned through a strong partnership between government and civil society, with NITDA playing a critical role, particularly in commitments focused on improving digital governance in Nigeria.
The awards would serve as added momentum to deepen ongoing commitments under NITDA’s leadership and accelerate the practical implementation of reforms aimed at strengthening digital governance across the country, Apampa said.
