NITDA Partners NIPSS to Boost Digital Economy, Creative Sector
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NITDA Partners NIPSS to Boost Digital Economy, Creative Sector
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation through stronger collaboration with strategic institutions, as it hosted the Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Ayo Omotayo, and participants of the Senior Executive Course 48, 2026.
The visit, which followed an earlier strategic study tour, provided a platform for discussions on the role of digital innovation in driving sustainable economic growth, with a focus on the Orange Economy.
Representing the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, the agency’s Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Aristotle Onumo, said the agency remained committed to building a thriving digital ecosystem through inclusive policies, strategic partnerships, and capacity development.
“NITDA is committed to creating an enabling environment where innovation can thrive by bringing together government, private sector, academia, and creatives to drive Nigeria’s digital economy,” he said.
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Inuwa, in his remarks, stressed the growing significance of the Orange Economy, describing it as a major driver of innovation and economic value through intellectual property.
He identified sectors such as digital content creation, film, animation, and digital art as critical contributors to national development, noting that Nigeria’s cultural richness presents vast opportunities for growth.
“The Orange Economy represents a powerful opportunity to transform our rich cultural heritage and creativity into sustainable economic growth,” he said.
He added that Nigeria’s youthful population and creative talents position the country to become a global leader in the sector if stakeholders deepen collaboration and investment.
“With our youthful population and rich cultural assets, Nigeria is well-positioned to become a global leader in the Orange Economy if we deepen collaboration and investment across the ecosystem,” he added.
The agency also outlined its ongoing initiatives to support the digital and creative sectors, including expansion of digital infrastructure, promotion of digital literacy, and implementation of policies to help startups and innovators scale.
However, Inuwa identified key challenges confronting the sector, including limited access to funding, infrastructure gaps, weak intellectual property protection, and fragmentation within the ecosystem.
“Addressing challenges such as funding gaps, infrastructure deficits, and intellectual property protection is critical to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s creative economy,” he said.
He reiterated NITDA’s target of achieving 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027, adding that ongoing programmes were equipping millions of Nigerians with essential digital skills, particularly in underserved and informal sectors.
In his remarks, Ayo Omotayo described the visit as an opportunity to deepen understanding of how digital technologies are transforming economic sectors, especially the creative industry.
He noted that insights from the engagement would contribute to policy recommendations aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s economic framework.
Participants of the Senior Executive Course 48 engaged NITDA officials on issues relating to capacity development, access to digital tools, and frameworks for protecting digital content.
The agency, in response, outlined its collaborations with industry stakeholders to provide training, innovation hubs, and access to digital tools for young Nigerians.
