Abuja: The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has announced that a standardised design for federal and state government websites will enhance citizen engagement and trust in the government. This announcement was made during the opening of a two-day workshop focused on co-creating a national standardised web design for public institutions.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the workshop, funded by the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, was organised by the Ministry and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). The minister emphasized the importance of technology-enabled channels in facilitating seamless interactions between citizens and the government. He noted that trust in government is linked to the desire for improved service delivery, with technology being a crucial pathway to achieving this goal.
Dr Tijani explained that the initiative is not solely about websites but encompasses the broader use of technology. He highlighted examples from other countries where high trust levels between governments and citizens are attributed to the effective use of technology in service delivery, especially in remote areas where it is the only means of reaching citizens.
Kashifu Abdullahi, the Director-General of NITDA, stressed the need for the government to provide a unique and memorable experience for citizens accessing government services. He stated that the initiative aims to redesign and standardize government websites to engage citizens effectively and encourage them to utilize government services.
Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, discussed the transformative potential of digital technology in enhancing the value public sector stakeholders receive from the government. He noted the foundation’s ongoing efforts to improve service delivery in the public sector and its support for this initiative to redefine government-citizen engagement.
Chioma Njoku, Director of Programmes at the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, expressed that stakeholders are collaborating to bridge the gap between Nigeria and Western countries in public service delivery. The standardised web design is expected to offer citizens a unique and memorable experience, thereby increasing trust and engagement with the government.