Adebayo Adaralegbe
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed that strategic partnerships and continuous stakeholder collaboration are vital to accelerating Nigeria’s digital transformation. Speaking at the Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) Stakeholders’ Engagement at Lagos Business School, NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa—represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of the Special Duties Directorate—called for a renewed commitment to implementing the agency’s guiding blueprint. He praised the host institution for its sustained partnership, emphasizing that collective intelligence remains essential for deepening the real-world impact of the nation’s digital initiatives.
Highlighting the collaborative foundation of the roadmap, Inuwa explained that SRAP 2.0 was developed through extensive consultations with external partners, including Lagos Business School, rather than as an isolated internal draft. Because the framework was co-created with key industry players, active stakeholder participation is necessary to review its execution. The Lagos engagement served as a dedicated opportunity to evaluate whether current initiatives are yielding their intended results and to confirm that established priorities align with the rapidly evolving digital ecosystem.
The Director-General further underscored the necessity of measuring progress against previous commitments made to stakeholders. Regular reviews allow the agency to refine its focus, identify areas requiring structural adjustments, and ensure that public interventions remain responsive to emerging technological realities. By holding open discussions, NITDA seeks to foster complete transparency and maintain accountability across all sectors invested in the national digital economy.
A central theme of the address was NITDA’s ongoing transition from a conventional regulatory authority into a dynamic platform for digital innovation. Inuwa noted that over the past three years, the agency has moved away from merely issuing rigid guidelines and directives, shifting instead toward an interactive model centered on co-creation. Approaching the final phase of this operational shift, NITDA aims to cultivate an enabling environment where innovation thrives and technological solutions deliver broad socio-economic benefits.
Reassuring partners of the agency’s broader vision, Inuwa stressed that the main objective remains transforming Nigeria into a digitally enabled nation that drives inclusive economic growth. This mission continues to be guided by the eight strategic pillars underpinning the agency’s roadmap, which dictate its key focus areas, policy interventions, and resource allocation across the technology sector.
Stakeholders were urged to critically analyze progress across these key pillars, specifically targeting digital skills acquisition, regulatory efficiency, robust infrastructure, and the expansion of digital services. Special attention was placed on assessing the operational impact of the Nigeria Startup Act, evaluating how effectively it has empowered local entrepreneurs, strengthened startup communities, and boosted innovation-driven business development.
In closing, Inuwa expressed strong confidence that sustained ecosystem-wide collaboration will overcome emerging challenges and keep the national digital agenda on track. He called on all participants to fully embrace this cooperative approach, emphasizing that a united effort will build a resilient, digitally powered Nigeria capable of serving as a benchmark for digital transformation across the African continent.
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