Digitisation is key to transparency, fight against corruption — DG NITDA

By Ibiyemi Mathew

In line with the Nigerian Federal Government’s goal to fully digitize the economy and tackle corruption, Mr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi has said that technology will play a huge role in making government transparent and void of corruption.

Speaking during an interview at the Ludwig von Bayern Startup Lions in Germany, Kashifu noted that corruption exists because people lack the right means to apply for state benefits.

“If everything is digital and transparent, how can someone demand a bribe?” he questioned.

Abdullahi also noted that Nigeria has had a stable democracy for 24 years and that economic recovery will improve the situation despite the fears allayed by observers like the UN as regards the upcoming Presidential election in February.

According to Inuwa, the future of Nigeria is much more promising than today due to the four comparative advantages the nation has over other countries of the world, adding that these four advantages could hardly be gotten anywhere else in the world.

“There are four comparative advantages you will never get anywhere in the world but Nigeria. So, come to Nigeria and invest such that you can easily get these comparative advantages,” he said.

Abdullahi however insists that the country doesn’t want a second colonisation – through data.

“The technology companies have more data than any country and that endangers democracy. The plan therefore is to make Nigeria a model state in Africa, following the EU’s strict data protection rules,” he said.