The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has opened a new channel for direct management-staff engagement with the inauguration of a Joint Management-Union Committee to address employee welfare, training, workplace conditions and productivity.
NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, inaugurated the committee during the closing ceremony of the Agency’s Human Resources Sensitisation Week 2026, saying staff concerns should no longer be handled on an ad hoc basis.
The committee brings management and the staff union to a common platform to deliberate on employee concerns and seek solutions through consultation and transparency.
Inuwa said the initiative reflects a broader shift in how NITDA approaches human resources, arguing that management must move beyond simply administering staff to creating conditions that allow employees to realise their full potential.
“People are the operating system of the Agency. We want to unlock your potential. We want to make you innovative so that the Agency will achieve its mandate.”
He said the committee’s mandate extends beyond training to wider issues affecting staff welfare, and directed members to commence work immediately.
The move follows concerns raised by employees over the allocation of training opportunities and other benefits. Inuwa said capacity-development opportunities should increasingly consider staff performance and contribution rather than rank alone.
Staff also raised concerns about inadequate working tools and the need for faster intervention when employees face medical emergencies or workplace accidents.
Responding, the DG said NITDA had procured digital tools and was working towards ensuring staff have the equipment required to perform their duties effectively.
He also pointed to expanded training opportunities, including international programmes, as part of the Agency’s investment in staff development.
However, Inuwa stressed that improved welfare must be matched by stronger performance, commitment and punctuality.
He described the relationship between management and employees as a “social contract”, with responsibilities on both sides.
While management is expected to provide the right environment, tools and opportunities for development, he challenged employees to reciprocate through improved productivity and commitment to NITDA’s mandate.
The Joint Management-Union Committee comprises representatives from management, including the Directors of Finance and Human Resources, the DG’s representative and auditors, while the staff union will nominate four representatives.