By 
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has underscored the importance of viewing technology as a neutral tool capable of accelerating Nigeria’s socio-economic development while preserving its cultural heritage.
RELATED: NITDA DG calls for stronger industry collaboration to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation
Abdullahi shared this perspective during a virtual panel session titled “Culture and Innovation: The Changing Landscape and Technoculture.” It was organized by the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, in collaboration with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and UNESCO.
Abdullahi emphasized that the impact of technology depends on how it is applied. Represented by Emmanuel Edet, Acting Director of Regulation and Compliance at NITDA, he urged policymakers and industry players to develop frameworks that align innovation with Nigeria’s cultural values and development goals.
“Technology is neither good nor bad in itself—it is a neutral enabler. What matters is how we harness it to serve national interests,” Edet stated on behalf of the DG.
Empowering Creatives with AI and Digital Tools
Abdullahi highlighted the growing relevance of AI-powered design tools like Figma, Canva, and CorelDRAW in Nigeria’s creative sector. He stressed the importance of digital skills development.
To this end, NITDA has established digital learning centres across the country, offering training in Emerging Technologies. It’s National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) has become a hub for talent development and tech innovation.
“Our focus is to provide Nigerians with practical tech education to enable productivity and job creation,” he added.
Nigeria’s National AI Strategy and Blockchain Policy
Unveiled during the panel, Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy aims to position the country as a regional leader in AI adoption. The strategy emphasizes:
- Intellectual property protection
- Sector-wide transformation
- Social inclusion and innovation
- Economic empowerment through technology
In addition, NITDA’s National Blockchain Policy was praised for its support of the creative industries. The policy enables tokenization of creative works, empowering artists, filmmakers, and musicians with proof of ownership and enhanced copyright protection.
Tech-Driven Cultural Preservation and Policy Reform
Mr. Ibrahim Suleiman, Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, described the event as a strategic opportunity to shape Nigeria’s digital future through cross-sector collaboration.
With participation from policymakers, industry experts, and cultural stakeholders, the forum examined ways to:
- Leverage technology to preserve heritage
- Boost innovation in the creative economy
- Develop inclusive policies for global competitiveness
“As technology reshapes the creative landscape, it’s vital to harmonize innovation with cultural expression,” Suleiman noted.
Strengthening role of Nigeria’s creative and cultural sectors
The summit concluded with a strong consensus that digital tools, AI, and blockchain are essential for Nigeria’s journey toward becoming a globally competitive, culturally rich, and economically robust digital nation.
The event’s actionable outcomes are expected to inform future policy directions and strengthen the role of Nigeria’s creative and cultural sectors as key contributors to national development.
