The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has trained 438 civil servants from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on digital transformation.
The one-day training, held on Friday in Abuja in partnership with Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), carried the theme: “Enabling Digital Government Transformation: Leadership, Training and Citizen-Centric Systems.”
William Scheffers, Director at TG Consulting, spoke on “Strategies for IT Training in Digital Government Transformation,” saying that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a necessity for government officials.
“Governments are under pressure to digitise services and improve citizen experience. ICT training ensures that staff can operate, maintain and innovate with new systems. Skills gaps lead to inefficiencies, data risks and wasted investments in IT. Trained officials are more adaptable in responding to new policy and citizen needs,” he said.
He added that challenges such as resistance to change can undermine ICT upskilling, and emphasised the importance of cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cloud adoption in shaping training for civil servants.
“Cybersecurity training is essential due to rising threats. Cloud adoption requires new competencies in security, architecture and operations. Data analytics and AI literacy are increasingly demanded in policy design and execution. There is a shift toward microlearning, online platforms and hybrid delivery,” Scheffers said.
Earlier, Myeongseok Song, Deputy Director of Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS), said the training introduced Korea’s government, shared knowledge, innovation, and achievements, and highlighted strategies for citizens, enterprises and governments to solve issues together through a digital platform.
“We just want to talk about the digital, the government, the advanced AI, and eventually, we expect to make more advanced perspectives and ideas for the government,” he said.
One beneficiary, Adetokunbo Adebola, Head of Data Strategy and Research for the Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, described the training as appropriate and timely for civil servants.
“We commend the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, for his efforts and the push to introduce programmes that will benefit citizens in ICT,” Adebola said.
(NAN)