The Cross River State Government has officially commenced the Civil Service Technology Empowerment for Capacity & High-performance (CIVTECH) Programme, an initiative designed to digitally transform the state’s public workforce.
The intensive training phase of the programme began on Monday, February 16, 2026, under the administration of Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu. The initiative is aimed at equipping 2,000 civil servants with essential digital skills to improve efficiency, innovation, and service delivery across government ministries and agencies.
CIVTECH is a collaborative effort involving the Office of the Head of Service, the Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (CRSMEDA), and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). The training is being hosted at the Cross River State ICT Hub, also known as the CR-ICT Hub, with a flexible and high-impact schedule designed to accommodate the large number of participants.
Speaking on the initiative, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of CRSMEDA, Great Ogban, described the programme as a strategic investment in governance. He said, “The CIVTECH Programme is more than just a training series; it is a strategic investment in the future of governance and to also drive the People First agenda.” He added that by empowering civil servants with 21st-century tools, Cross River State is positioning itself as a leader in Nigeria’s digital economy.
The programme aligns with the Federal Government’s agenda to promote a paperless civil service and reduce administrative bottlenecks in public service delivery. It focuses on building digital capacity and encouraging the use of automated systems to enhance productivity and transparency.
The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi CCIE, participated in the official flag-off of the programme. Representing him at the ceremony, Dr Aristotle Onumo, Director of the Stakeholder Management and Partnership Department at NITDA, delivered a keynote address highlighting the importance of digital transformation in public service.
Dr Onumo emphasised the urgent need for Nigeria’s public service to transition “from bureaucracy to digital excellence.” He noted that citizens now expect government services to reflect the speed, transparency, and convenience found in digital banking and e-commerce platforms.
Declaring the programme open, the Head of Service, Mr Orok Okon, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening the capacity of its workforce. He stated that the government is determined to equip civil servants with the competencies required to drive efficient, technology-enabled service delivery.
Dr Onumo commended Cross River State for embracing digital reform and encouraged the adoption of modern tools and technology-driven skills. He stressed that a truly high-performance public service must leverage technology to deliver excellence, anytime, anywhere, and for everyone.
Other key figures present at the event included Ekuri Ekuri Asu, Centre Manager of the Cross River State ICT Hub, who is supporting the coordination of the training sessions.
