*Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, affirms Nigeria has the potential to become a global digital powerhouse through coordinated efforts and collaborations among the industry stakeholders
Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect
For Nigeria to become a digital powerhouse in the comity of nations, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has advocated industry collaborations to drive the country’s digital transformation.
Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of NITDA, who stated this in his address at The Omniverse Summit 2025, in Lagos, emphasised innovation and policy as key enablers of sustainable growth.
Represented at the event by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships of the agency, Inuwa asserted that Nigeria has the potential to become a global digital powerhouse through coordinated efforts among stakeholders.
Reeling off relevant statistics to back his assertion, Inuwa said with an Internet penetration rate exceeding 55 percent and the digital economy projected to contribute over 20 percent to GDP by 2030, Nigeria’s tech ecosystem is experiencing unprecedented growth.
The Director-General of the NITDA noted homegrown Financial Technology (FinTech) giants, such as Flutterwave, Paystack, and Moniepoint as examples of how innovation is attracting billions of Dollars in investments and revolutionising financial services in the West African country.
Inuwa averred that aside from FinTech, emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain technology, and the Internet of Things (IoT), are fast shaping critical sectors, such as governance, agriculture, healthcare, and education.
NITDA committed to fostering innovation via investments in R&D, others: Inuwa
In a bid to sustain this momentum, Inuwa restated that NITDA is committed to fostering innovation through investments in research and development, talent cultivation, and startup support systems to bridge the digital divide and enhance digital literacy.
Acknowledging that no digital economy can thrive without adaptive policies, the Chief Executive of the Information Technology (IT) sector regulatory agency emphasised the importance of regulatory frameworks, such as the Nigeria Startup Act, which provides a structured approach to nurturing innovation.
He further highlighted NITDA’s Regulatory Intelligence Framework, which anchors its policies on dynamism, intelligence, and awareness, ensuring a regulatory environment that protects consumers while enabling businesses to scale.
On Data protection, cybersecurity and AI governance
The Director-General also touched on the need for stronger data protection laws, enhanced cybersecurity frameworks, and AI governance strategies that promote responsible technology deployment.
According to Inuwa, collaboration is the glue that binds innovation and policy into tangible progress.
The agency noted the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) model has already played a vital role in Nigeria’s digital transformation.
He as well referenced the recent collaborations between the Federal Government and global tech giants, such as Microsoft, Google, and Meta underscoring the importance of synergy in the sector of the economy.
The Director-General stated that the recent agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria and Google is set to transform the country into a global tech hub. The partnership, he disclosed, focuses on infrastructure development, citizen upskilling, AI innovation, cloud adoption, and investment framework enhancement.
This collaborative approach ensures that digital policies and initiatives align with global best practices while addressing local needs, said he.
Inuwa highlighted NITDA’s ongoing initiatives, such as the Digital Literacy for All programme in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), which aims to achieve 70 percent digital literacy by 2027.
According to him, strengthening industry-academic linkages will further bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical applications, ensuring a digitally skilled workforce.
Inuwa opined that Nigeria’s active participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents significant opportunities to position the West African country as a regional hub for digital trade and services – through harmonising digital trade policies and leveraging strategic partnerships, Nigeria can unlock new markets and attract more foreign investments.
Inuwa also restated that Nigeria’s digital transformation requires bold decisions, innovative thinking, and strategic alliances.
He, therefore, urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure that digital transformation is not just a vision but a reality driving sustainable economic development.
The Director-General of NITDA said: “As the theme of this summit states, we are truly ‘Unified by Vision and Empowered by Collaboration’.
“Let us seize this moment to build a Nigeria where technology serves as an equaliser, empowering every citizen, every business, and every sector.”
