Nigeria Sets Sights on Becoming Global Digital Powerhouse — Inuwa
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Nigeria Sets Sights on Becoming Global Digital Powerhouse — Inuwa
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has emphasized the need for strengthened industry collaboration to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Speaking at The Omniverse Summit 2025 in Lagos, Inuwa noted innovation and policy as key enablers of sustainable growth.
Represented by Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Inuwa said that Nigeria has the potential to become a global digital powerhouse through coordinated efforts among stakeholders.
With an internet penetration rate exceeding 55% and the digital economy projected to contribute over 20% to GDP by 2030, Nigeria’s tech ecosystem is experiencing unprecedented growth.
Homegrown fintech giants like Flutterwave, Paystack, and Moniepoint are attracting billions in investment and revolutionizing financial services.
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Inuwa cited these examples as evidence of how innovation is transforming the country’s financial landscape.
He affirmed that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are shaping critical sectors like governance, agriculture, healthcare, and education.
To sustain this momentum, NITDA is committed to fostering innovation through investments in research and development, talent cultivation, and startup support systems.
According to Inuwa, no digital economy can thrive without adaptive policies.
He emphasized the importance of regulatory frameworks such as the Nigeria Startup Act, which provides a structured approach to nurturing innovation, saying “NITDA’s Regulatory Intelligence Framework anchors its policies on dynamism, intelligence, and awareness, ensuring a regulatory environment that protects consumers while enabling businesses to scale.”
Inuwa also stressed the need for stronger data protection laws, enhanced cybersecurity frameworks, and AI governance strategies that promote responsible technology deployment.
Collaboration, he stated, is the glue that binds innovation and policy into tangible progress.
Public-private partnerships have already played a vital role in Nigeria’s digital transformation, with recent collaborations between the Federal Government and global tech giants such as Microsoft, Google, and Meta underscoring the importance of synergy.
The recent agreement between the federal government and Google, which aims to transform Nigeria into a global tech hub, is a prime example of this collaborative approach.
The partnership focuses on infrastructure development, citizen upskilling, AI innovation, cloud adoption, and investment framework enhancement.
This collaborative approach ensures that digital policies and initiatives align with global best practices while addressing local needs.
Inuwa also mentioned NITDA’s ongoing initiatives, such as the Digital Literacy for All programme in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), which aims to achieve 70% digital literacy by 2027.
Strengthening industry-academic linkages will further bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical applications, ensuring a digitally skilled workforce.
The DG further stated that Nigeria’s active participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents significant opportunities to position the country as a regional hub for digital trade and services.
By harmonizing digital trade policies and leveraging strategic partnerships, Nigeria can unlock new markets and attract more foreign investments.
Inuwa, therefore, reiterated that Nigeria’s digital transformation requires bold decisions, innovative thinking, and strategic alliances.
He urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure that digital transformation is not just a vision but a reality driving sustainable economic development.
“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.
