The Federal Government has launched a joint task force to strengthen oversight and curb corruption in public sector technology spending.
The initiative, a collaboration between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), aims to enforce compliance with the mandatory IT project clearance policy across all government agencies.
Unveiled at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja, the task force will ensure that ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) obtain NITDA’s clearance before implementing ICT projects.
The move comes after years of non-compliance that led to massive losses, duplication of efforts, and poorly executed digital systems.
NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, described the clearance framework as a “national safeguard” designed to ensure value for money and synergy among government technology projects.
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He noted that the process helps prevent waste and “silo-based investments” that hinder the growth of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
The task force will combine NITDA’s technical evaluation capabilities with ICPC’s investigative and prosecutorial powers to track, investigate, and sanction defaulters.
It will also integrate NITDA’s monitoring tools into ICPC’s Ethics and Integrity Scorecard to promote transparency and accountability.
ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting the enforcement drive, stressing that “ICPC will use its statutory authority to ensure compliance, hold erring contractors accountable, and strengthen NITDA’s mandate.”
Both agencies described the partnership as a model of inter-agency collaboration that aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at promoting a transparent digital economy and efficient public service delivery.
