The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has emphasized the importance of collaboration between government institutions and civil society organisations (CSOs) in shaping Nigeria’s future, describing it as a crucial pathway to sustainable national development.
Speaking at the 1st Civil Society Summit on Civil Democracy and National Development, Inuwa joined other thought leaders and stakeholders in calling for enhanced civic engagement to drive progress and deepen democratic values across the country.
In his address, the NITDA boss reiterated the foundational pillars of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said provide a strategic roadmap for national transformation. These pillars include reforming the economy for sustained inclusive growth, strengthening national security, boosting agriculture to achieve food security, unlocking energy and natural resources, enhancing infrastructure and transportation, investing in education and healthcare, accelerating diversification through industrialisation and digitisation, and improving governance for effective service delivery.
Inuwa urged civil society groups to move beyond merely demanding accountability, and instead, actively participate in policy formulation and implementation. “Sustainable development is only possible when there is open dialogue, mutual trust, and shared responsibility between the government and the people,” he stated.
The summit provided a platform for stakeholders to reflect on the current state of civil democracy in Nigeria, strengthen civic participation, and explore strategic partnerships that can reinforce the role of CSOs in national development.
Participants agreed on the need for ongoing engagement between the public and civil sectors to ensure democratic governance translates into tangible benefits for all Nigerians.
