The executive Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has underscored the importance of industry collaboration in propelling Nigeria’s digital future.
Speaking at The Omniverse Summit 2025 held in Lagos, Inuwa, represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, emphasized the need for a synergy between innovation and policy to ensure sustainable growth in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.
With Nigeria’s internet penetration rate surpassing 55% and the digital economy projected to contribute over 20% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030, Inuwa highlighted the country’s vast potential to emerge as a global digital powerhouse. He pointed to the success of homegrown fintech giants such as Flutterwave, Paystack, and Moniepoint as prime examples of how Nigerian innovation is attracting billions in investment and reshaping financial services.
Beyond fintech, Inuwa noted that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are revolutionizing critical sectors, including governance, agriculture, healthcare, and education. These advancements, he said, are crucial to enhancing efficiency, transparency, and economic growth across the board.
To sustain this momentum, NITDA is committed to fostering innovation by investing in research and development, cultivating digital talent, and supporting startups. According to Inuwa, these initiatives are aimed at bridging the digital divide, enhancing digital literacy, and ensuring inclusive participation in the digital economy.
Acknowledging that no digital economy can thrive without adaptive policies, Inuwa highlighted the importance of regulatory frameworks like the Nigeria Startup Act. This legislation provides a structured approach to nurturing innovation while ensuring that startups receive the necessary support to scale and compete globally.
Additionally, NITDA’s Regulatory Intelligence Framework is designed to create a dynamic, intelligence-driven, and awareness-focused regulatory environment. This framework balances consumer protection with business enablement, ensuring that the digital economy remains competitive and inclusive.
Inuwa further stressed the importance of stronger data protection laws, enhanced cybersecurity frameworks, and AI governance strategies that promote responsible technology deployment. He emphasized that a secure and well-regulated digital space is essential for fostering trust, encouraging investment, and driving innovation.
Collaboration, according to Inuwa, is the cornerstone of Nigeria’s digital transformation. He pointed to public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a critical enabler of progress. Recent collaborations between the Federal Government and global technology leaders such as Microsoft, Google, and Meta demonstrate the impact of such synergy in driving Nigeria’s digital agenda forward.
One key example is the recent agreement between the Federal Government and Google, which is set to transform Nigeria into a global technology hub. This partnership focuses on key areas such as infrastructure development, citizen upskilling, AI innovation, cloud adoption, and investment framework enhancement. By aligning Nigeria’s digital policies with global best practices while addressing local needs, such collaborations help to unlock new opportunities for growth and development.
Recognizing the need for a digitally skilled workforce, NITDA has also launched several initiatives to enhance digital literacy and bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application. One such initiative is the Digital Literacy for All program in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), which aims to achieve 70% digital literacy in Nigeria by 2027.
The DG further emphasized the importance of strengthening industry-academic linkages to ensure that graduates are equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in the digital economy. By fostering collaboration between universities, tech hubs, and the private sector, Nigeria can develop a talent pipeline that supports its digital ambitions.
As a key player in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Nigeria has a unique opportunity to position itself as a regional hub for digital trade and services. Inuwa highlighted the importance of harmonizing digital trade policies and leveraging strategic partnerships to unlock new markets and attract foreign investment.
By fostering an enabling environment for digital trade, Nigeria can drive economic diversification, enhance competitiveness, and boost regional integration. The DG stressed that this requires bold decisions, innovative thinking, and strategic alliances between public and private stakeholders.
The address was concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. He urged industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to work together to turn Nigeria’s digital transformation vision into reality.
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“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 equalizer, empowering every citizen, every business, and every sector,” he stated.
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