The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) was established on April 18, 2001, to spearhead Nigeria’s IT revolution, driving digital transformation through policies, regulations, and initiatives to advance technological progress.
Its core mission has always been clear—boosting digital literacy, promoting innovation, and supporting the growth of the country’s tech ecosystem. However, recent projects that seem far removed from this mandate raise concerns about a potential shift in focus. Is NITDA slowly drifting away from its purpose?
For emphasis, NITDA’s role traditionally aligns with policies, regulations, and initiatives that drive technological advancement. Installing street lights falls outside the scope of its primary mandate unless there’s a clear tech angle.
Take, for instance, the agency’s involvement in projects like the installation of solar-powered street lights in Ganye and Toungo Local Government Areas, Adamawa State. Installing street lights, even if they are solar-powered, seems like a stretch for an agency dedicated to IT development.
It begs the question: What is NITDA’s role here?
While smart technologies like (IoT)-enabled lighting or energy-efficient systems could justify NITDA’s involvement, the current descriptions don’t provide that clarity. This lack of a direct tech component raises concerns about a potential misallocation of resources.
In principle, tasks like street lighting fall under the purview of local government bodies responsible for infrastructure. If its role in these projects doesn’t align with a larger, tech-based initiative—such as the development of smart cities—it could signal mission drift. Instead of focusing on IT development, the agency risks spreading itself thin by taking on infrastructure projects that are tangential to its primary goals.
This could signal a misallocation of resources, diverting funds away from the agency’s essential mission of fostering digital advancement. In response to these concerns, NITDA’s spokesperson, Hadiza Umar, clarified the situation, pointing to the influence of the national budgeting process.
Questionable projects and allocations
The projects in question include a range of initiatives that seem to stray from NITDA’s original mandate. These include:
The provision and supply of motorcycles, pick-up tricycles, and Bajaj tricycles for digitalised e-hailing services to empower youths in Adamawa State—a ₦62,026,519 initiative.
Other projects, such as the installation of 3-in-1 solar-powered street lights in Adamawa, Kwara, and Nasarawa states—totalling ₦129.5 million—raise similar questions.
For these projects to fit NITDA’s mission, they need a strong technological angle. Does it involve building the digital infrastructure for e-hailing services? Are there plans for digital literacy programs to teach users how to navigate these platforms? Or is NITDA developing a homegrown app to support this service?
Without a tech-driven component, this seems misaligned with its core objectives.
“We are compelled by the law” – NITDA’s Spokesperson
Speaking on the issue, Umar explained that NITDA’s involvement in such projects stems from the Appropriation Bill, under which legislators have the authority to assign projects to any government agency, including NITDA.
“Just so you know, it’s under the Appropriation Bill. Legislators can decide to send any of their zonal intervention projects to any MDA for execution. NITDA didn’t ask for it, neither will NITDA turn it down when they decide to put the projects on us,” she said.
This insight sheds light on why projects like solar-powered street lights and the provision of motorcycles have appeared under NITDA’s purview.
“It’s a law of the land, and NITDA or any other government agency cannot go against it,” Umar emphasised.
Hadiza Umar’s response highlights a crucial point: NITDA’s involvement in these projects is largely beyond its control due to legislative directives. However, this reality brings to the forefront concerns about the role of government agencies in delivering projects that don’t align with their core competencies.
But, what does the law say?
Legislators cannot legally assign projects to any MDA of their choice. Their role is defined by the separation of powers outlined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Section 5 vests executive powers in the President, who oversees the implementation of projects through MDAs. This separation of powers ensures that while legislators can make laws and approve budgets, the execution of projects is the responsibility of the executive branch.
However, legislators can influence project allocation through constituency projects, which are localised projects intended to benefit their constituencies.
However, as stipulated in Section 81-83 of the Constitution, while the National Assembly approves and appropriates funds, it does not have the authority to directly assign projects to specific MDAs.
Legislators also possess oversight functions, allowing them to monitor and review project execution by MDAs. This does not extend to direct project allocation or choice of MDA for project execution.
The Public Procurement Act (2007) governs the awarding and execution of contracts by MDAs, centralising decision-making within the executive branch and reinforcing the legislative role of budget approval rather than direct project assignment.
NITDA has some aligned projects too
We discovered that a few initiatives align with NITDA’s mission and demonstrate the agency’s potential to drive meaningful change in Nigeria’s digital landscape.
One such project is the provision of digital literacy tools, including computers, laptops, UPS systems, tablets, and iPads to improve learning in selected schools across Adamawa State.
Another project in Kano State involves distributing tablets to undergraduates to enhance their digital skills. These efforts are focused on empowering citizens through digital literacy, helping to bridge the digital divide that persists in many parts of Nigeria.
These initiatives highlight NITDA’s strength—supporting the development of digital infrastructure and promoting digital literacy. Providing access to technology and equipping students and teachers with digital tools falls squarely within the agency’s mandate.
Such projects are essential in a country where access to technology is uneven, and they offer a clear path toward a more digitally literate society.
Read also: FG announces ₦100M AI Fund for Nigerian startups in partnership with Google
The danger of mission drift
The projects that seem to fall outside of NITDA’s traditional scope raise concerns about mission drift, a phenomenon where an organisation begins taking on activities that are outside its core purpose.
For an agency like NITDA, which plays a critical role in advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation, this could have serious consequences.
Mission drift can lead to a dilution of expertise and focus, resulting in less effective outcomes. The agency’s involvement in non-tech projects could divert its attention and resources from vital tech-driven initiatives that the country desperately needs.
Instead of focusing on cutting-edge technology initiatives, NITDA may find itself handling tasks better suited to local government authorities, which could weaken its ability to deliver on its core mission.
In a country like Nigeria, where the digital divide remains wide and the need for technological innovation is urgent, agencies like NITDA must stay focused on their primary mission.
However, there’s also an opportunity here. NITDA could use these non-core projects as a platform to introduce smart technologies that enhance infrastructure.
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