FG Moves To Curb Brain Drain With Digital Career Pathway For Civil Servants

The federal government has unveiled a Digital Competence Framework and Career Progression Model tailored for civil servants in ICT-related roles, in a bid to tackle the growing brain drain crisis and boost public sector performance,

The initiative, introduced by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), is designed to enhance digital capacity across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), while providing structured career growth opportunities for skilled professionals within the service.

NITDA’s director general, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, at the maiden edition of the International Civil Service Conference organised by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in Abuja, said the move is part of broader efforts to make public service roles more attractive and professionally rewarding.

Inuwa who was represented by the Agency’s acting director of the Digital Literacy and Capacity Building Department, Dr. Ahmed Tambawal, explained that the initiative, developed in collaboration with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, aims to tackle the challenge of stagnant roles and the underutilisation of digital talent within government institutions. “Highly skilled professionals are often stuck in roles that don’t reflect their expertise, while their counterparts in the private sector benefit from clear advancement paths and continuous training,” Inuwa explained.

The framework, already being implemented within NITDA, will be extended to other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). It provides structured career pathways and access to globally recognised certifications, enabling civil servants to grow professionally while contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s digital transformation.

In addition, NITDA has launched a Digital Champions Programme in partnership with the Office of the Head of Service. The initiative identifies top digital talents across MDAs and equips them with specialised training to lead innovation within their respective organisations.

“These champions will drive digital change from within, promoting efficiency and fostering a culture of innovation across government,” the DG added.

The initiatives come at a time when the country is grappling with a mass exodus of skilled professionals, commonly referred to as the “Japa” trend, driven by the pursuit of better career opportunities abroad.

He noted that by creating a more dynamic and rewarding work environment for ICT professionals, NITDA aims to reverse this trend and build a competent, future-ready public service. “We are committed to developing a digital civil service that retains talent, encourages growth, and drives national development,” the Inuwa stated.

The discussions centered around the rapidly evolving government landscape, driven by the imperative of digital transformation. This involves not only adopting new technologies but fundamentally reimagining how governments operate, interact with citizens, and deliver services. Success hinges on developing key skills within the civil service, robustly assessing capabilities, and making strategic changes to leverage public data effectively for more responsive and personalised outcomes.