Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has emphasised that embracing technology and digital solutions is crucial for modernising and enhancing service delivery, leading to better governance

The NITDA’s Director General made this statement in Abuja at the Nigeria Govtech Conference and Awards organised by Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) with the theme: Digital Innovations as a Catalyst for the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He maintained that digitising government services is crucial for Nigeria’s economic growth, adding that by leveraging technology, the country can implement policies and programmes more efficiently, driving progress and development: “This aligns with the Federal Government’s vision to create a digital economy that benefits all Nigerians,” he said.
While emphasising on the need for a comprehensive agenda that focuses on human capital development, digital literacy, and skills training, particularly in both formal and informal sectors, the Director General highlighted the importance of digital innovation and transformation for economic growth and empowerment.

He added that the aim is to foster strong institutions that would enhance citizens’ lives through effective governance and technological adoption in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Inuwa noted that NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0 (SRAP 2024-2027) is structured around eight pillars which include; Foster Digital Literacy and Cultivate Talents, Building a Robust Technology Research Ecosystem, Strengthening Policy Implementation and Legal Frameworks, Promoting Inclusive Access to Digital Infrastructure and Services, Enhancing Cybersecurity and Digital Trust, Nurturing an Innovative and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, Forging Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations, and Cultivating a Vibrant Organisational Culture with an Agile Workforce.

He further explained that through “foster digital literacy and cultivate talents pillar, we will accelerate transformation and innovation through human capital, which is our greatest resource, and we projected that by 2030, we would have achieved 95 per cent digital literacy.”

Inuwa said, “the Agency is targeting to achieve 70% digital literacy by 2027 with three initiatives. The Agency is collaborating with the Ministry of Education to develop digital skills curriculum and incorporate digital literacy and skills in our formal education.”

The NITDA boss asserted that the second initiative is through the informal sector like the market women, and artisans by providing them with the required knowledge about digital literacy to help them in their businesses.

He said, “We are also collaborating with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) through the Digital Literacy for All initiative which has started in 12 states and will be extended to all the states targeting to train 30 million Nigerians.”

In his earlier welcome address, the Director General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dasuki Arabi, stated that digital transformation is crucial to the country’s public service and has  potential to enhance service delivery, promote citizen engagement, and foster inclusive governance.

He asserted that the e-governance reforms are expected to position Nigeria as leader in digital governance, enhancing transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement paving way for the advancement of the country.

Arabi further explained that with the right technology and innovation, we can not only fulfil the mandates of the Renewed Hope Agenda but also create a more prosperous and inclusive society for all Nigerians.

Transcorp Power Plc, one of the power subsidiaries of Transcorp Group, has announced its financial results for the third quarter of the year ending September 30, 2024, demonstrating remarkable growth across the business.

In its Q3 2024 unaudited results filed with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), Transcorp Power reported revenue of N223.6 billion, representing a significant 153% growth year-on-year, over N88.4 billion in Q3 2023, Highlighting operational efficiency, profit before tax for the period surged by 198%, recording N81.1 billion, compared to N27.3 billion in September 2023.

Key Financial Highlights:

• Revenue Growth: Achieved N223.6 billion in Q3 2024, a 153% increase from N88.4 billion in Q3 2023.

• Net Finance Cost: Reduced by 95% to N538.3 million, down from N10.4 billion in Q3 2023.

• Profit Before Tax: Rose by 198% to N81.1 billion, compared to N27.3 billion in the previous year.

• Profit After Tax: Achieved a 186% increase, rising to N58.5 billion from N20.4 billion in Q3 2023.

• Total Assets: Increased by 62% to N362.5 billion as of September 30, 2024, from N223.4 billion in FY 2023.

• Shareholders’ Funds: Grew by 82% to N105 billion as of September 30, 2024, up from N57.9 billion FY 2023.

• Operating Ratios: 36.3% net profit margin, 56% return on equity, and 16% return on assets

Commenting on the results, the Chief Financial Officer, Transcorp Power, Evans Okpogoro, expressed strong confidence in the company’s financial trajectory, stating:

“We are proud to announce significant growth across all our metrics. Our commitment to disciplined cost management and operational efficiency has not only enabled us to sustain robust margins but has also positioned us to outperform industry averages in key areas. This achievement reflects our strategic focus and dedication to excellence, and positioning as a leader in Nigeria’s power sector”.

In response to the results, Peter Ikenga, MD/CEO, Transcorp Power Plc, commented on the company’s performance this quarter, attributing it to a strategic vision, hard work, and relentless pursuit of operational excellence.

“Despite the distribution and transmission infrastructural challenges faced in the Power Sector, Transcorp Power has once again demonstrated exceptional financial growth, as reflected in our impressive results.

“We continue to strive to bridge the energy gap in Nigeria, in line with our purpose to improve lives. I am proud to report that we have sustained our remarkable growth trajectory and maintained our position as a leading contributor to the country’s power sector, accounting for approximately 10% of total power generated on the national grid.

“As the market transitions into the bilateral contracts, as contained in the Electricity Act, we are optimistic about sustaining the momentum by capitalizing on more strategic investment opportunities and providing additional value to our shareholders.”

Transcorp Power Plc is one of the electricity generating subsidiaries of Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group), a leading, listed African conglomerate.

Transcorp Power is committed to improving electricity supply in Nigeria and contributes over 20% of the country’s installed power capacity.

The company is creating value across Nigeria and driving economic growth, demonstrating its mission to improve lives and transform Africa.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to immediately reverse the second increase in petrol prices in one month, pending the hearing and determination of the suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja challenging the legality of the powers of the NNPCL to increase petrol prices.

According to a statement on Sunday by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation had last month filed a lawsuit against the President and NNPCL “over the failure to reverse the unlawful increase in the pump price of petrol, and to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the NNPCL.”

The statement read, “The latest increase in petrol prices makes a mockery of the case pending before the Federal High Court, and creates a risk that the course of justice will be seriously impeded or prejudiced in this case.

“One of the fundamental principles of the rule of law is that it applies to everyone, including presidents and CEOs of public institutions.

“It is in the public interest to keep the streams of justice clear and pure, and to maintain the authority and integrity of the court in the case.”

SERAP also said allowing the Federal High Court to hear and determine the case would be entirely consistent with the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], “your oath of office and oft-repeated promises to uphold the rule of law.”

The letter, read in part, “SERAP notes that since assumption of office in May 2023 you have repeatedly promised, including in your inaugural speech, that ‘Nigeria will be impartially governed according to the Constitution and the rule of law.’

“Increasing petrol prices while the Federal High Court case is pending would prejudice and undermine the ability of the court to do justice in the case, damage public confidence in the court, prejudice the outcome of the case, as well as impede the course of justice.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are immediately taken following the receipt and/or publication of this letter, failing which SERAP shall consider contempt proceedings and/or other appropriate legal actions to compel your government and NNPCL to comply with our request in the public interest.”

SERAP also warned that if not immediately reversed, the latest increase in petrol prices would seriously undermine the integrity of the Nigerian Constitution and have serious consequences for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged Nigerians and the public interest.

“Protecting the right to a judicial recourse and due administration of justice is of utmost importance, being the cornerstone of an ordered society.

“The only way in which SERAP can have a fair and effective access to justice in this matter is to allow the court to decide, one way or the other, on the merits of the case before it.

“Reversing the latest increase in petrol prices would allow the court to render a decision on the central issues in the case, and protect the applicant’s rights and interests.

“The latest increase in petrol prices while the Federal High Court case is pending constitutes an interference with the right of SERAP to fairly and effectively pursue a judicial challenge to the decision by your government and NNPCL regarding the first increase in petrol prices” the statement added.

SERAP noted that according to its information, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited recently increased the price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, across its retail outlets, saying that the retail price of petrol was increased from N897 to N1,030 per litre.

“This is the second increase in one month, and followed the increase in September from N600 to N855 per litre, and in some instances above N900 per litre.”

“The two increases followed a scarcity caused by the reported refusal by suppliers to import petroleum products for the NNPCL over a $6 billion debt.

“According to the recently published 2020 audited report by the Auditor General of the Federation (AGF), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) failed to remit over USD$2 billion and N164 billion of oil revenues into the Federation Account. The Auditor-General fears that the money may have been diverted into private pockets.

“The NNPCL reportedly failed and/or refused to remit N151,121,999,966. The NNPCL, without any justification, deducted the money from the oil royalties assessed for 2020 by the Department of Petroleum Resources, now Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).”

It added that the NNPCL has failed to account for the missing public funds, pointing out that the Auditor-General wants the money recovered and remitted into the Federation Account.

“The NNPCL also failed to remit USD$19,774,488.15 collected as government revenue to the Federation Account. The Auditor-General wants the NNPCL to account for the money, recover and remit it into the Federation Account, and to hand over those suspected to be involved to the ICPC and the EFCC.”

“The Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Ltd also reportedly failed to account for USD$2,021,411,877.47 and N13,313,565,786.49 of royalties collected from crude oil and gas sales and gas flare.”

“The Auditor-General wants the public funds fully recovered and remitted into the Federation Account and for those suspected to be responsible for the missing public funds to be handed over to the ICPC and the EFCC.”

“SERAP last month filed a lawsuit asking your government and NNPCL challenging the lawfulness of the increase in the pump price of petrol, and the failure to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the NNPCL.”

SERAP stressed that increasing petrol prices would compromise the interest of the Applicant in the Federal High Court case filed against the federal government and the NNPCL, as the second increase in one month directly touches on the central issues and the legality of the first increase, which the court is set to determine and rule upon.

“The core of the principle of judicial independence is the complete liberty of the judge to hear and decide the cases before them based on facts and in accordance with the law, without any improper interference, direct or indirect,” SERAP averred.