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The director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to fostering collaboration among researchers, technology experts and academics to address national challenges through innovation and advanced technology.
He made this statement during a visit by the management of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), led by its vice-chancellor, Prof. Sa’adatu Liman to NITDA’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.
Abdullahi stressed the importance of stronger collaboration between academics, engineers and entrepreneurs to solve critical national issues, including environmental sustainability, public health and infrastructure. According to him, this aligns with NITDA’s broader mission to build a robust technology research ecosystem focusing on digital literacy, artificial intelligence (AI) and research and development (R&D). This commitment also supports President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda, which prioritises digital transformation and equipping students with future-ready skills.
To institutionalise this collaboration, NITDA and NSUK have agreed to develop a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to drive impactful initiatives and ensure sustainable, long-term cooperation. The partnership is expected to accelerate innovation in Nigeria’s tech sector, empower students with digital skills and contribute to national development through research-driven solutions.
Abdullahi highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence beyond office automation, particularly in sectors such as healthcare and agriculture. He explained that AI-driven solutions could bridge gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare system, where access to specialist doctors remains limited. “Imagine developing a bot that can provide quality health services to remote areas. One of the challenges we face in our healthcare system is the shortage of professionals. It’s difficult to get specialist doctors everywhere, but AI can help fill this gap,” he said.
He referenced a recent research study in Nigeria where AI-powered chatbots, such as ChatGPT, were tested against human doctors in providing medical prescriptions. The findings showed that AI-generated prescriptions were often comparable to, and in some cases even more accurate than, those provided by human doctors. “This underscores the potential of AI in telemedicine, offering accessible and efficient healthcare services to underserved communities,” Abdullahi noted.
Beyond healthcare, he emphasised that AI has the potential to revolutionise agriculture, education, and other critical sectors. By leveraging AI-driven innovations, NITDA is committed to ensuring that Nigeria remains at the forefront of digital transformation and national development.
In her remarks, Liman expressed deep appreciation for NITDA’s continuous support in strengthening technology research, digital literacy and innovation at NSUK. She highlighted the significant gains from their collaboration with the agency, particularly in digital transformation programmes that have positioned NSUK as a pioneer in Nigeria’s higher education sector. “NSUK has been recognised as a pioneer participant in NITDA’s digital transformation program, a model that the National Universities Commission (NUC) is now working to extend to other universities across Nigeria,” she said.
She further explained that the university believes the initiative will be a great success, aligning with its vision of equipping students with the digital skills required to meet global workforce demands. As part of its commitment to advancing technology education, NSUK has established a digital literacy centre at the Faculty of Engineering, where students are developing tech gadgets to enhance their skills and global competitiveness.
“Our goal is to ensure that our students are not only well-prepared for Nigeria but also globally competitive wherever they go,” she emphasised. She added that collaboration between NITDA and NSUK continues to strengthen Nigeria’s technology and innovation ecosystem, ensuring that students are equipped with the knowledge and expertise needed to thrive in the digital economy.
The partnership between NITDA and NSUK signifies a step forward in positioning Nigeria as a hub for technological advancement, with AI-driven solutions playing a crucial role in addressing key national challenges. With continued investment in digital literacy, research and development, Nigeria is poised to become a leader in the global digital economy.
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