Nigeria Faces Scrutiny Over ₦3.84 Trillion Government IT Spending as NITDA Highlights Project Delivery Failures

Nigeria’s public-sector technology spending has come under scrutiny following disclosures that more than 62% of government information technology projects assessed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) failed to meet the expectations of the institutions that commissioned them.

According to figures disclosed by NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the agency cleared 1,056 IT projects valued at approximately ₦3.84 trillion between July 2023 and July 2026. The projects originated from 1,092 proposals submitted by 326 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), with proposed expenditure exceeding ₦4.24 trillion.

NITDA attributed the shortcomings to weaknesses in project planning, design, procurement and implementation. Particular concerns were raised about procurement arrangements in which contractors help prepare project specifications and subsequently compete to implement the same projects, potentially creating conflicts of interest and weakening independent technical oversight.

In response, NITDA is strengthening its IT Project Clearance Framework to require properly designed solutions before budgetary approval. It also plans to separate solution design, implementation and quality assurance responsibilities to improve accountability and reduce procurement risks.

A Software Assurance Framework is also being developed to improve the quality, reliability and security of locally developed software.

The findings raise important governance and compliance questions about the management of public funds, procurement transparency and accountability in government technology projects.

For compliance professionals, the case highlights the importance of independent procurement oversight, conflict-of-interest controls, segregation of duties, vendor due diligence and effective contract monitoring. Public institutions should also ensure that technology contracts clearly establish responsibilities for data ownership, information security, intellectual property, service delivery and ongoing maintenance.

The developments reinforce the need for stronger governance over public-sector technology investments, ensuring that regulatory clearance and substantial financial expenditure translate into measurable operational improvements and value for money.