Nigeria Eyes Data Sovereignty, Deepens Digital Policy Reforms — NITDA
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Nigeria Eyes Data Sovereignty, Deepens Digital Policy Reforms — NITDA
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
Nigeria has ramped up efforts to strengthen its digital governance architecture and national software infrastructure as part of a broader strategy to secure data sovereignty and build indigenous technological capacity.
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, disclosed this during a meeting with executives of Ericsson on the sidelines of the GITEX Africa held in Morocco.
Inuwa said Nigeria is prioritising the development of robust regulatory frameworks aimed at driving digital integration while ensuring that critical infrastructure remains under national control.
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“We are focused on building a resilient national software infrastructure backed by high-standard regulatory policies that will support seamless digital integration,” he said.
He clarified that Nigeria’s digital agenda is not shaped by geopolitical considerations but by the need to secure its technological future and protect national interests.
“It is not about politics or geo-tech rivalries. It is about how Nigeria can take control and shape its own digital future,” he stated.
According to him, the country remains open to global technology players but insists on partnerships that promote local value creation and capacity development.
“We are not shutting out hyperscalers. We want them to collaborate with local partners, create value within Africa, and ensure that such value is retained here,” he added.
The NITDA boss noted that Nigeria’s policy direction mirrors global trends, citing regulatory frameworks in Europe that emphasise digital sovereignty and structured governance of digital markets.
He added that Nigeria has already taken steps to classify digital infrastructure as critical national assets through existing executive orders, stressing that achieving full digital sovereignty would be a gradual process.
“Even developed regions like the EU took time to build their systems. We are on that journey,” he said.
Inuwa further explained that safeguarding locally generated data and building domestic intellectual capacity remain central to the government’s strategy.
“Our goal is to retain digital intelligence within our borders and actively participate in value creation, rather than merely consuming foreign technologies,” he said.
He warned against repeating past industrial patterns where Africa played largely extractive roles without benefiting from value-added innovation.
“This is an opportunity to change that narrative by building our own digital solutions and ensuring inclusive growth,” he added.
He also revealed that consultations are ongoing on data ownership regulations, particularly in emerging fields where control of machine-generated data is becoming increasingly critical.
Meanwhile, Ericsson reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s telecoms sector, stressing over five decades of operations in the country.
The firm’s Director for Government and Policy Advocacy in Africa, Amos Haddebe, said Ericsson has consistently supported Nigeria’s telecom evolution from early-generation networks to 5G deployment.
He noted that the company continues to work closely with operators such as MTN Group to drive innovation and expand digital access.
Haddebe disclosed that a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Nigerian government in October 2024 focuses on four key areas, including the establishment of an innovation hub, a national hackathon, digital skills development, and knowledge exchange initiatives.
According to him, the national hackathon, launched under the supervision of the Vice President, is currently ongoing and will feed into broader innovation programmes.
He, however, cautioned that increasing competition within Africa’s telecoms landscape requires governments to adopt stronger safeguards for ICT infrastructure.
Haddebe called for a diversified vendor ecosystem to enhance resilience and protect critical systems, stressing that digital infrastructure should be treated as a national security priority.
