NITDA Calls on Government Agencies to Support Nigeria’s Shift to IPv6

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is encouraging government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to help Nigeria transition from Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) to Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). This change is seen as essential for improving the country’s digital infrastructure and expanding public digital services.

NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications, Hajiya Hadiza Umar, made this appeal during the opening of an IPv6 migration readiness workshop in Abuja. The workshop was organized in partnership with the Nigeria IPv6 Council and the African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC).

Kashifu Inuwa, NITDA’s Director-General, emphasized the importance of commitment from senior government officials to ensure a smooth transition for public institutions. His comments were shared by Oladejo Olawumi, the Director of the Digital Development Services Department.

The workshop included two training sessions. One was aimed at directors and management officials to help them understand the migration process, while the other focused on enhancing the skills of technical staff responsible for implementation.

Inuwa pointed out that it is crucial for management to understand the transition to support their technical teams effectively. He noted that without this understanding, it could be challenging for technical staff to make progress.

He praised the collaboration with various stakeholders in advancing the country’s information technology initiatives and described the workshop as a significant step in involving them in the transition process. The shift from IPv4 to IPv6 aims to overcome the limitations of the older system and provide a more scalable foundation for Nigeria’s growing digital services.