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| NITDA calls on government institutions to give greater priority to locally developed technology solutions as Nigeria strengthens its digital economy. Designed by ZpotHub News |
The government is the biggest customer in Nigeria.
Think about it. Every year, Ministries, Departments and Agencies buy computers, software, websites, servers, and apps. They pay for systems to collect taxes, manage hospitals, run schools, and secure borders.
For many years, a large part of that money left Nigeria. We bought foreign software. We hired foreign consultants. We paid for support contracts abroad.
This week in Port Harcourt, Nigeria’s top tech agency said that pattern has to change.
ZpotHub News reports that the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, is asking government institutions to put Nigerian technology first. The message was delivered by the Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association.
The theme of his session was “Nigeria First, Procurement Last: How E-commerce is Rewriting Contracts.”
And the numbers he shared show why the conversation is urgent.
Between July 2023 and July 2026, NITDA reviewed 1,092 IT project proposals from 326 government agencies. The total value of those projects was more than ₦4.24 trillion. Out of that, 1,056 projects worth ₦3.84 trillion were cleared.
That is ₦4.24 trillion of public money. The question NITDA is asking is simple: how much of it can stay in Nigeria and build Nigerian companies?
THE CASE FOR "NIGERIA FIRST"
According to Abdullahi, government procurement should do more than just give agencies new tools. It should also grow the local economy.
His argument is straightforward. Before an agency buys technology from abroad, the first question should be: can a Nigerian company build this?
He is not saying foreign technology is bad. He is saying we should stop defaulting to it.
When government spends on local companies, the money does not just buy a product. It pays salaries. It trains engineers. It funds startups. It creates a market where Nigerian developers can test, improve, and scale their solutions.
ZpotHub News reports that Abdullahi told the gathering of lawyers that technology is no longer just an IT issue. It is now an economic issue, a jobs issue, and a sovereignty issue.
THE SCALE OF GOVERNMENT TECH SPENDING
Let’s pause on those numbers for a minute because they are big.
In just three years, 326 MDAs submitted over a thousand IT project proposals to NITDA. That tells you how fast government is trying to digitize.
Agencies are building payroll systems, hospital record platforms, tax portals, student databases, border control systems, and court filing tools.
The total value crossed ₦4.24 trillion. NITDA cleared ₦3.84 trillion worth of projects.
That means government is one of the largest buyers of technology in the country. If even a fraction of that spending goes to Nigerian firms, it could change the tech landscape.
But right now, many agencies still prefer to buy off-the-shelf software made for other countries. Then they spend more money to modify it for Nigeria.
Abdullahi used a simple analogy. It is like buying shoes made for someone else and then paying a cobbler to cut them to fit. They might work, but they will never fit perfectly, and it costs more in the long run.
REFORMS TO HOW GOVERNMENT BUYS TECHNOLOGY
So what exactly is NITDA changing?
ZpotHub News reports the agency is strengthening its IT Project Clearance Framework. This is the process where MDAs must get NITDA’s approval before they spend big money on technology.
Under the new approach, three things will get more attention.
First, design before budget. Agencies will be expected to properly plan what they need before putting it in the budget. No more vague items like “IT upgrade - ₦5 billion.” NITDA wants to see the problem, the users, and how success will be measured.
Second, stronger software testing and assurance. Too many government apps launch and fail. Some crash under pressure. Some get hacked. NITDA wants independent testing to make sure systems are secure and reliable before they go live.
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Third, a local content check. When a proposal comes in, one key question will be: is there a Nigerian company that can deliver this? If yes, why go abroad? If no, can we build local capacity through partnership?
The goal is not to ban foreign technology. The goal is to stop ignoring local options.
THE PROBLEM WITH FOREIGN OFF-THE-SHELF SOFTWARE
Many of us have used a government website or app that feels outdated or confusing. Part of the reason is that the software was not built for Nigeria.
A tax system designed for another country may not understand Nigeria’s multiple tax authorities. A health record system built for hospitals with stable power struggles here. An HR platform made for a 12-month salary structure gets confused by 13th month pay.
Every time an agency buys such software, they pay twice. First for the license. Then again to customize it. And every time there is an update, they pay again.
ZpotHub News reports that NITDA believes Nigerian developers already understand these local realities. They live with them. So they are better placed to build solutions that work from day one without expensive rework.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR NIGERIAN TECH COMPANIES
This is the big opportunity.
If government increases its purchases from qualified Nigerian companies, it creates a stable market for local tech.
A fintech in Lagos that builds payment systems could work on treasury platforms. A health-tech in Enugu could build hospital management software. A cybersecurity firm in Abuja could handle security testing for government agencies.
ZpotHub News reports that if just 30 percent of the ₦3.84 trillion cleared projects went to Nigerian companies, that would be over ₦1 trillion staying in the local economy. That means more jobs for developers, designers, data analysts, project managers, and support staff.
It also builds credibility. If a Nigerian company can deliver for CBN, NPF, or NNPC, it can compete anywhere in Africa. Those success stories make it easier to export Nigerian solutions to Ghana, Kenya, and beyond.
DIGITAL SOVEREIGNTY AND CONTROL
There is another reason behind the push: control over our digital infrastructure.
When critical government systems run on foreign software hosted on foreign servers, we do not have full control. What happens to citizen data? What happens if there is a dispute or a policy change abroad?
Digital sovereignty does not mean building everything ourselves. No country does that. But it means having the ability to build, manage, and maintain the systems that matter most.
ZpotHub News reports NITDA’s position is that for key areas like identity, taxation, health, and security, Nigeria should have strong local expertise and ownership.
That way, we decide how data is used. We decide when to update. We decide who has access.
QUALITY CANNOT BE COMPROMISED
Abdullahi was also clear about one thing. “Nigeria First” cannot mean low quality.
Government agencies have had bad experiences before. Projects started and abandoned. Systems that do not work. Poor security.
So NITDA says local preference must come with strong standards.
That means vetting companies properly. Setting clear performance targets. Doing independent testing. Running open and competitive bids so the best Nigerian firms win, not just the most connected ones.
ZpotHub News reports the agency knows this is a delicate balance. If standards are too low, public services suffer. If standards are too high and only foreign firms can meet them, then nothing changes.
The aim is to raise Nigerian companies to meet the standard.
WHY THIS MATTERS TO ORDINARY NIGERIANS
You may not be a government contractor, but this affects you.
More government contracts for local tech means more jobs. That could be your brother, your friend, or you.
Software built by Nigerians for Nigerians is more likely to solve Nigerian problems. Faster NIN registration. Easier tax filing. Better hospital records. Less time spent in queues.
Money spent locally also circulates locally. A developer hires a designer. The designer pays rent. The landlord buys from the market.
And solving hard government problems creates products that can be sold to banks, schools, and businesses too.
But if we get it wrong, it means wasted billions and worse services. So citizens should pay attention and demand results.
THE ROLE OF LAWYERS AND CONTRACTS
It is interesting that NITDA chose the NBA conference to make this announcement.
Because contracts will be central to this shift.
Digital procurement involves complex agreements. Who owns the data? Who is liable if there is a breach? What are the service levels? How is intellectual property handled?
ZpotHub News reports that lawyers will play a big role in drafting and enforcing these agreements to make sure “Nigeria First” deals are fair, transparent, and protect public interest.
THE ROAD AHEAD
NITDA’s plan is ambitious, but the real work starts now.
ZpotHub News reports the agency will need to do several things in the next year.
Train procurement officers in MDAs to evaluate technology properly.
Create a directory of vetted Nigerian tech companies so agencies know who to call.
Make the clearance process faster so local firms are not stuck in bureaucracy.
Publish results so the public can see which projects worked and which did not.
There will be resistance. Some agencies are used to foreign brands. Some consultants benefit from brokering foreign deals. Some local companies may try to cut corners.
Abdullahi’s message was direct. The era of buying first and asking questions later is over. The era of looking home first is beginning.
ZPOTHUB UPDATE
Here are the key facts as of August 27, 2026:
NITDA reviewed 1,092 IT project proposals worth over ₦4.24 trillion from 326 MDAs between July 2023 and July 2026.
1,056 projects worth ₦3.84 trillion were cleared.
The agency is pushing a “Nigeria First” approach to technology procurement.
Reforms include better planning, stronger testing, and preference for local capacity.
The goal is to reduce reliance on foreign off-the-shelf software and grow Nigeria’s digital economy.
ZpotHub News will continue to follow NITDA’s procurement reforms. We will track which agencies adopt the policy, which Nigerian companies win contracts, and whether public services improve as a result.
The money is available. The talent is here. The next step is deciding if we are ready to bet on ourselves.
By Solomon Emmanuel | ZpotHub News
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