The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has called for stronger collaboration between Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the government in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has called for stronger collaboration between Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the government in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking at the 1st Civil Society Summit on Civil Democracy and National Development held at the Rotunda Conference Hall, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, Inuwa said Nigeria’s current development path demands shared responsibility rather than blame.
According to him, “There are things the government can do that civil society cannot, and there are things the government can do that you cannot do, but together, we can achieve greater things.”
Inuwa noted that reforming Nigeria’s economy to deliver inclusive growth is a task that requires cooperation across all sectors of society, urging stakeholders to transition from mere critique to co-creation in national policymaking.
Highlighting the eight priority areas of the Renewed Hope Agenda—economic reform, national security, agricultural transformation, natural resource development, infrastructure expansion, social sector enhancement, industrial diversification, and improved governance—he emphasised the need for a unified national vision.
“If we agree on this vision, then we must move forward together, irrespective of who is in government. What matters is continuity of vision, and the collective will to implement it,” he said.
The NITDA boss also stressed the strategic importance of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), in improving productivity in sectors like agriculture, health, and education.
He revealed that NITDA is currently working with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to deploy a digital citizen engagement platform powered by AI to co-create impactful policies with Nigerian youth.
“Technology gives us tools to scale ideas and boost productivity tenfold. Nigeria does not lack ideas; what we need are the tools and will to implement them on time,” he stated.
Inuwa further underscored the role of trust-building in effective governance, saying, “Mr. President has a vision for Nigeria. Therefore, we should all work together to support him in achieving that vision. If we agree, we have a consensus that will help us to build trust. And when we build trust, we can win the battle today and make Nigeria great.”
The summit served as a platform for stakeholders to align on national priorities, deepen civic participation, and reinforce the role of civil society in driving sustainable development and democratic governance in Nigeria.