…As BPSR Trains 500,000 Public Servants on Digital Literacy and Emerging Technologies

By Emmanuel Elebeke

At the ITGov Nigeria 2025 conference held at Abuja Continental Hotel, stakeholders strongly advocated for the urgent digital transformation of government operations. They emphasized that both public and private organizations must digitize their systems and processes to keep pace with global trends and best practices.

Delivering the keynote address themed “Advancing Government Operations Through Digital Transformation,” the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, highlighted the critical role of technology in modernizing public sector operations and improving service delivery. Represented by Dr. Femi Adeluyi, Abdullahi stressed that digital transformation is no longer a luxury but a necessity for effective governance.

He pointed to global examples where digital services have become integral to governance and urged Nigeria to adopt similar strategies to enhance efficiency and transparency in public service delivery. Abdullahi identified key areas where digital transformation can make a significant impact, including improved efficiency and reduced waste, data-driven decision making, enhanced transparency and anti-corruption measures, and increased inclusion and accessibility.

Abdullahi also emphasized investing in digital infrastructure, upskilling the government workforce, and fostering interagency collaboration as vital for the successful implementation of digital initiatives. He reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to driving Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, aligned with the federal government’s vision of creating a digital economy benefiting all Nigerians.

In her address, Melanie Ayoola, Executive Director of TransterIT Group of Companies, highlighted the transformative impact of IT automation in boosting government productivity and improving public service delivery. She noted that 50% of Nigeria’s largest enterprises currently use ManageEngine for IT service management, which enables rapid responses to IT incidents and maintains workforce productivity.

Ayoola explained that TransterIT’s solutions go beyond help desk management to comprehensive endpoint management, securing devices such as laptops, tablets, and mobile phones used by roaming government officials. This capability enhances data security by restricting unauthorized use and remotely disabling compromised devices. She outlined the company’s goal of increasing IT automation uptake by 30% by the end of 2025 and emphasized the importance of knowledge and capacity building to overcome awareness barriers. TransterIT trains over 250 IT graduates annually to support growing demand.

Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dasuki Arabi, represented by Mr. Sulola Johnson, Director of Strategy, Innovation, and Research, reaffirmed the Bureau’s dedication to advancing Nigeria’s digital governance agenda. Johnson highlighted the critical role of IT automation in modernizing public service delivery and emphasized the importance of collaborations to drive meaningful digital transformation.

He announced BPSR’s plan to train 500,000 civil servants in digital skills to bridge the digital divide and enable effective use of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Distributed Ledger Technologies in government operations. These initiatives aim to streamline processes, enhance data security, and improve service delivery across government agencies.

Recognizing Nigeria’s vast and diverse landscape, BPSR stressed the potential of IT automation to bridge service delivery gaps and reach remote communities. The Bureau also emphasized the need for scalable, adaptable, and contextually relevant automated systems.

Mr. Johnson reiterated BPSR’s mission to modernize Nigeria’s public service through strategic investments in technology and human capital, calling for continued collaboration among federal and state governments, private sector partners, and civil society to build a responsive, transparent, and inclusive public service.

Stanivasan Kajasakar, Regional Head of ManageEngine, explained that the company, a trusted leader in IT management solutions for over two decades, supports a hybrid deployment model combining on-premises and cloud-based solutions for maximum flexibility and efficiency across public and private sectors.

Organized by TransterIT and ManageEngine, the event brought together over 160 government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), alongside more than 120 technology resellers nationwide. Participants engaged in critical discussions on integrating automation technologies into government operations.

Key government stakeholders including NIMSI, FIRS, NIDA, Galaxy Backbone, and the Bureau of Public Service Reform also participated, aligning efforts to enhance technology-driven service delivery across Nigeria.