Kashifu Inuwa, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has called for intensified collaboration among key stakeholders to unlock the vast potential of Nigeria’s digital economy. Speaking through Mr. Ajayi Babajide at a stakeholder engagement program in Abuja themed “Creating Opportunities, Breaking Boundaries,” Inuwa emphasized that as Africa’s largest economy by GDP, Nigeria is at a pivotal crossroads. He noted that the digital sector offers a strategic and urgent pathway for economic diversification, job creation, and sustainable national development.
Inuwa highlighted that in an increasingly interconnected global landscape, digitalization has become the primary engine for economic transformation. By providing unprecedented access to knowledge, technology allows developing nations like Nigeria to compete on a global scale. He stressed that because the tech sector is one of the fastest-growing segments of the world economy, Nigeria must deliberately position itself to harness these advancements to ensure it is not left behind in the race for innovation.
To spearhead this movement, NITDA is actively implementing its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) and the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF). These initiatives are designed to equip citizens with essential digital skills and create an enabling environment for underserved communities. The Director General revealed that while NITDA has already established over 100 IT centers nationwide to support learning, the long-term sustainability and expansion of these infrastructures depend heavily on deeper cooperation across all sectors.
The DG advocated for a quadruple-helix model of partnership involving the government, private sector, academia, and civil society. He pointed out that innovation only thrives when supported by effective policies, accessible funding, and favorable regulations. Specifically, he urged for increased investment in innovation hubs and incubators to nurture local startups from the ideation stage to market readiness, ensuring Nigerian entrepreneurs can hold their own against international competitors.
Supporting this entrepreneurial evolution, NITDA continues to leverage its special purpose vehicles, such as the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) and the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR). These bodies provide the necessary incubation and acceleration programs that have already helped Nigeria produce globally recognized “unicorns.” However, Inuwa warned that maintaining this momentum requires a robust legal framework and strong institutional support to ensure growth remains inclusive.
The Abuja engagement also served as a platform for state-level leaders to share progress, such as Pharm. Eric Monday, Permanent Secretary of Kogi State’s Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology. Monday detailed how Kogi is applying digital strategies to healthcare and infrastructure while nearing the completion of a major skills acquisition center. He emphasized that the state is even looking beyond national borders, partnering with international organizations in China to build a more resilient innovation ecosystem.
Ultimately, the event underscored a collective commitment to a digital future where barriers to entry are removed for all Nigerians. Inuwa reiterated that NITDA remains dedicated to fostering the partnerships necessary to drive this transformation. He concluded by urging all participants to stay committed to a vision where innovation is the norm, ensuring that the digital economy reaches its full potential and delivers a lasting impact on the lives of every citizen.