Integrating Intelligence, Security, Sustainability Key to Nigeria’s Digital Future — NITDA DG
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Integrating Intelligence, Security, Sustainability Key to Nigeria’s Digital Future — NITDA DG
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has said that the convergence of intelligence, security, and sustainability is vital to accelerating Nigeria’s digital transformation and strengthening its global competitiveness.
Inuwa made the assertion on Tuesday in Kano while delivering a goodwill message at the opening of the 19th International Conference (CONNOVATE 2025) of the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), with the theme “Intelligent, Secure, and Sustainable Innovations for a Connected World.”
Represented by the Director of E-Government and Digital Economy Development, Engr. Salisu Kaka, Inuwa stressed that the three elements were now indispensable drivers of national progress, citing Estonia’s X-Road platform, which enables 99% of government services online, as a model for Nigeria.
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“In Nigeria, trust is the ultimate currency in our high-stakes digital environment, where scams and cybercrime are prevalent. Security builds and protects this trust,” he said.
He noted that while security lays the foundation, intelligence builds the structure, with tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and data analytics offering solutions to the nation’s complex challenges.
Warning that “innovation without security is unsustainable,” he likened it to “a high-performance race car without brakes.”
The NITDA boss urged upcoming Nigerian startups to move beyond digitising existing processes to creating new value, citing AI-powered wealth management and ML-driven remote diagnostics as examples.
He outlined several initiatives of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE) that align with this vision, including the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), the Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT), the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023, the national digital identity programme, interoperable payments, and human capital programmes such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) and Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) schemes.
Inuwa also echoed the call of International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) President, Antony Wong, for stronger protection and strategic use of data in the Global South to safeguard indigenous knowledge.
He stressed the need for legal clarity on data ownership as Nigeria’s cultural heritage in medicine, ecology, and art is digitised and integrated into AI systems.
Wong commended Nigeria’s contribution to the recent World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaty protecting genetic resources and traditional knowledge.
Earlier, NCS President, Dr. Muhammad Sirajo, said the conference would provide a platform for IT professionals to address critical issues including intelligent systems, fintech, sustainable energy, and technology-driven innovations in agriculture, health, education, and national planning.
“This conference will provide an interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners, and educators to present and discuss recent innovations, trends, and solutions for improving technological systems,” Sirajo said.
The week-long conference features plenary sessions, a doctoral consortium, a youth and entrepreneurship forum, the Fellows Forum, the Annual General Meeting, an IT quiz competition for students, and the induction of new members.
It will conclude with the election of new national executives, a dinner, and an awards night recognising outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s ICT sector.
