Nigeria hosts second West African Digital Governance Forum in Abuja
Date: 2025-11-03
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Nigeria
has welcomed delegates from across West Africa for the second meeting of the
West African Digital Governance Forum, as member states continue efforts to
accelerate regional collaboration on digital transformation.
Speaking
at the opening session, Director General of the National Information Technology
Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said digitalisation must
be intentionally designed and integrated into governance systems to improve
public service delivery and enhance citizen trust. He noted that digital
transformation is not only about deploying technology but about driving
innovation that enables governments to improve efficiency and create seamless
experiences for citizens.
The
forum is focusing on areas including cross-border digital services, data
sovereignty, interoperability and human capital development. Abdullahi urged
African governments to work together to build “digital bridges” that will
support the exchange of digital services across the region.
Nigeria
highlighted local initiatives such as the National Digital Literacy Framework,
the 3 Million Tech Talent programme, and the integration of digital literacy
into formal education as examples of progress in strengthening capacity and
positioning the country for a digital future.
The
meeting continues tomorrow as stakeholders deliberate strategies to accelerate
regional cooperation and unlock the continent’s digital potential.
