By Chinenye Anuforo, Dubai
The Federal Government has assured global investors of a safe and secure environment as the country prepares to host GITEX Nigeria between September 1 and 4, 2025.
This announcement was made by the Nigerian government’s delegation to the ongoing GITEX Global in Dubai.
Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and head of the Nigerian delegation, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullai, emphasised Nigeria’s readiness and commitment to hosting the world-class technology event.
He highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s keen interest in developing Nigeria through technology and the government’s efforts to create a conducive environment for technological growth.
Abdullai said that ICT currently contributes over 16 percent to the country’s GDP, surpassing oil and gas and demonstrating the country’s significant strides in the technology sector.
He assured investors that Nigeria was building robust infrastructure to meet global demands, as well as taking proactive measures to ensure the safety and security of its citizens.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT, Salisu Afolabi, reiterated the sentiment of a welcoming and prepared Nigeria. He emphasised the immense opportunities presented by the country’s large youth population, which constitutes over 70 percent of the population.
Afolabi also highlighted the National Assembly’s efforts to create favourable laws that promote investments and guarantee returns.
Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Tubosun Alake, emphasised the state’s thriving startup ecosystem, boasting over 2000 startups with a combined value of over $9 billion.
He commended the Federal Government’s support for the ecosystem through initiatives like the Startup Act, which aims to regulate the industry and ensure fair play for investors.
Executive Vice President of DWTC and the organiser of GITEX Global, Trixie LohMirmand, expressed Dubai’s excitement about hosting the forum in Nigeria in 2025.
She highlighted the opportunity for Nigeria’s startup ecosystem to receive mentorship, exposure and attract investors.
According to LohMirmand, some Nigerian startups and founders have been coming to Dubai to meet investors, but only about 24 of them could make it each year while over 6,000 startups exist in the country.
“We can only bring in 24 companies from over 6000 startups in Nigeria. This is hardly representative of the potential, the energy, the passion and the talent that is sitting in Nigeria.
“So, this is the reason why GITEX is partnering with the Nigerian government, the Ministry of Communications, Lagos State and all the different states and commissions in Nigeria,” she said.
Addressing global investors at the meeting, LohMirmand said they would need to visit Nigeria because it is the single largest AI market in Africa.
“For the startups that are in Nigeria, you will now have the opportunity to really have access to capital, to be able to benchmark and understand what the rest of the world is doing on an annual aggregated, large scale format. And this is very vital in the age of AI,” she said.
LohMirmand described Nigeria as a ‘mythical beast’ with its vast population and potential to become a powerhouse in the emerging AI revolution. While acknowledging the risks involved, she emphasised the high rewards that await investors in Nigeria due to the resilience and determination of its people
