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The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has called for strengthened industry collaboration to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation journey. Abdullahi emphasized innovation and adaptive policy frameworks as key drivers of sustainable economic growth.
Abdullahi who spoke recently at the Omniverse Summit 2025 held in Lagos. He was represented by NITDA’s Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Dr. Aristotle Onumo. The NITDA boss underscored the need for synergy among public and private sector stakeholders to position Nigeria as a leading digital economy in Africa. He also emphasised the need for Nigeria to be a competitive player in the global tech ecosystem.
With internet penetration surpassing 55% and the digital economy projected to contribute over 20% to Nigeria’s GDP by 2030, the NITDA DG noted that the country is at a critical inflection point in its quest to become a global digital powerhouse.
“Nigeria’s technology ecosystem is witnessing unprecedented growth, driven by homegrown innovations that are attracting billions of dollars in foreign investment and revolutionizing key sectors like financial services,”
He said. “Startups like Flutterwave, Paystack, and Moniepoint have demonstrated how innovation, coupled with the right policy environment, can create new economic frontiers and jobs for millions of Nigerians.”
Emerging Technologies Shaping Nigeria’s Digital Future
While fintech remains Nigeria’s most prominent tech success story, the NITDA DG highlighted that emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are increasingly driving innovation across other critical sectors, including governance, agriculture, healthcare, and education.
He noted that AI-powered solutions are already improving service delivery in governance. Blockchain-based platforms are enhancing transparency in financial services and land registration systems. In agriculture, IoT devices are helping farmers optimize yields through smart precision farming solutions.
However, He stressed that sustaining this momentum requires deliberate investments in Research and Development (R&D), and talent cultivation. Equally important are startup support systems that empower innovators to scale their solutions and bridge the digital divide.
“As part of NITDA’s renewed mandate under the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS 2020-2030), we are committed to supporting R&D initiatives, strengthening the startup ecosystem, and enhancing digital literacy to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind in this digital revolution,” he said.
Enabling Policies for Digital Innovation
Recognizing that no digital economy can thrive without adaptive regulatory frameworks, he emphasized the importance of policies like the Nigeria Startup Act. The Act provides a structured approach to nurturing innovation, providing tax incentives, and offering funding opportunities for startups.
He also spotlighted NITDA’s Regulatory Intelligence Framework (RIF). This is a dynamic model that ensures policies are driven by market intelligence, emerging global trends, and stakeholder feedback. The framework is designed to create a conducive regulatory environment that protects consumers. At the same time, it enables businesses to innovate and scale sustainably.
“Our regulatory philosophy at NITDA is anchored on dynamism, intelligence, and awareness,” Abdullahi stated.
“We are creating a pro-business regulatory environment that fosters innovation while safeguarding consumers and ensuring ethical technology deployment.”
Additionally, the NITDA boss emphasized the need for stronger data protection laws, cybersecurity frameworks, and AI governance strategies. All of these are necessary to promote responsible technology adoption in line with global best practices.
Public-Private Partnerships as a Catalyst for Growth
Inuwa acknowledged that collaboration remains the glue that binds innovation and policy into tangible progress. He cited recent public-private partnerships between the Nigerian government and global tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Meta as examples of how strategic alliances are accelerating Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
The DG specifically referenced the Google-Nigeria partnership agreement — an initiative aimed at transforming Nigeria into a global tech hub by focusing on:
- Infrastructure Development
- AI Innovation
- Cloud Adoption
- Upskilling Digital Talent
- Investment Framework Enhancement
“This collaborative approach ensures that our digital policies and initiatives align with global best practices while addressing local needs,” he noted.
Bridging the Digital Divide through Digital Literacy
To address the digital skills gap, Inuwa highlighted NITDA’s ongoing Digital Literacy for All programme in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), which aims to achieve 70% digital literacy among Nigerians by 2027.
He further advocated for stronger industry-academic linkages to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical applications, ensuring that the next generation of Nigerians possesses future-proof digital skills.
Unlocking Regional Digital Trade Opportunities through AfCFTA
Abdullahi also emphasized the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to position Nigeria as a regional hub for digital trade and services. He called for harmonized digital trade policies and strategic partnerships that would enable Nigerian businesses to access new markets across the continent.
“With AfCFTA, Nigeria has the opportunity to become a leading exporter of digital services and tech solutions across Africa,” he stated. “By harmonizing policies, investing in infrastructure, and strengthening partnerships, we can unlock new markets and attract more foreign direct investment into the digital economy.”
Time for bold decisions, innovative thinking, and strategic alliances
Concluding his remarks, Abdullahi called for bold decisions, innovative thinking, and strategic alliances to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation journey. He urged all stakeholders — government agencies, private sector players, academia, and civil society — to work together to ensure that digital transformation is not just a vision but a reality driving inclusive economic development.
“As the theme of this summit rightly states, we are truly ‘Unified by Vision and Empowered by Collaboration’,” he said. “Let us seize this moment to build a Nigeria where technology serves as an equalizer, empowering every citizen, every business, and every sector to thrive.”
Nigeria’s digital economy on a fast-track trajectory
With Nigeria’s digital economy on a fast-track trajectory, NITDA’s renewed focus on collaboration, innovation, and enabling policies is setting the stage for a more inclusive and competitive digital ecosystem. As the agency continues to forge strategic alliances and empower innovators, Nigeria is well-positioned to become a regional technology hub and a global player in the digital economy.
By harnessing the power of emerging technologies, strengthening public-private partnerships, and closing the digital skills gap, Nigeria’s digital transformation holds the promise of unlocking new opportunities, driving socioeconomic development, and empowering millions of Nigerians to participate fully in the digital era.
