Nigeria’s Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) has called on all tiers of government to begin adopting modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Blockchain, and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public service delivery.
At the 2025 edition of the ITGov conference in Abuja, themed “Advancing Government Operations Through Digital Transformation,” the BPSR emphasized that leveraging digital tools is no longer optional but crucial for modern governance. Represented by Sulola Johnson, Director of Strategy Innovation Research, the BPSR Director-General, Dr. Dasuki Arabi, said automation plays a central role in eliminating bureaucratic delays, enhancing transparency, and ensuring that even the most remote communities are not left behind in accessing government services.
Dr. Arabi also noted that in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Bureau is pushing for the integration of Distributed Ledger Technologies into various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). The goal is to streamline operations, protect sensitive data, and ensure better allocation of resources.
He stressed that achieving these objectives requires a united front from both federal and state governments. “We must align priorities, share data, and build coordinated systems that deliver seamless services to Nigerians regardless of their location,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, underscored the importance of digital infrastructure in combating inefficiency and inequality. He pointed out that technology, when deployed inclusively, can bridge socioeconomic divides and significantly improve how citizens interact with government.
“Over 122 million Nigerians are now online, and mobile phone usage has surpassed 90 percent. It is essential that we take government services to the platforms where people are already active—online, mobile, and on-demand,” Inuwa stated. He added that digital transformation cannot happen in isolation, emphasizing the need for interoperable systems and a unified approach across all government bodies.
Executive Director of TransterIT Group, Melanie Ayoola, also spoke on the role of IT automation in driving public sector performance. She revealed that half of Nigeria’s largest companies currently use ManageEngine to manage IT operations and improve response times, noting that government agencies stand to benefit similarly.
“In a public sector environment where thousands of workers are active daily, even the smallest IT hiccup can have a massive impact on productivity and service delivery. Automation helps keep operations running smoothly,” she said.
The event highlighted a growing consensus among public and private sector leaders: Nigeria must prioritize digital transformation to deliver faster, smarter, and more inclusive governance.
