DeRemi Atanda, managing director of Remita Payment Services Limited, has highlighted the strength of indigenous technology capability, calling for broader recognition of the Nigerian private sector’s role in driving digital governance.
- +Nigeria’s digital future hinges on indigenous innovation — DeRemi Atanda
He made the remarks during a panel session at the National GovTech Policy Roundtable 2026 held in Abuja, where stakeholders gathered to explore how innovation, investment, and collaboration can support sustainable governance through technology.
He made the remarks during a panel session at the National GovTech Policy Roundtable 2026 held in Abuja, where stakeholders gathered to explore how innovation, investment, and collaboration can support sustainable governance through technology.
Hosted at the National Assembly Library Trust Fund Complex, the roundtable brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and development partners to chart a path for Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Speaking on the Private Sector Panel, Atanda addressed common misconceptions about Remita’s operations, stressing that its engagement with government represents only a fraction of its broader capabilities.
“Many assume that our strength lies primarily within government, but that is not entirely accurate. It simply represents one expression of the breadth of what we do. We are a wholly privately owned organisation, yet we have found ourselves contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s growth by leveraging technology as a purely private sector entity.”
His comments reinforced the narrative that Nigeria’s digital evolution has been significantly shaped by homegrown innovation operating across both public and private sectors.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who convened the event, emphasised that the true measure of digital transformation lies in its impact on citizens.
“Digital-first governance is a strategic posture. It demands that we stop treating technology as an afterthought. The measure of success will be found in whether government is responsive, accessible, trustworthy, and just.”
Drawing from institutional experience, Atanda pointed to a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s GovTech journey, the successful delivery of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) by SystemSpecs following a competitive international bid backed by the World Bank.
“This is a success story Nigeria has not sufficiently told. A Nigerian company outperformed leading global firms in a fully international procurement process. Twenty years on, that achievement remains under-celebrated.”
The example underscores the global competitiveness of Nigerian firms in delivering critical digital infrastructure.
Within this broader context, Remita’s evolution extends beyond its widely known role in powering the Treasury Single Account. The platform now operates across payments, collections, and financial services infrastructure, serving multiple sectors within the economy.
The roundtable, organised by GovTech Africa in partnership with the Office of the Deputy Speaker and the National Assembly Library Trust Fund, focused on translating policy into actionable outcomes.
