NITDA DG Urges Digital Trust for Nigeria’s Transformation
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NITDA DG Urges Digital Trust for Nigeria’s Transformation
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
In a pivotal move to expedite Nigeria’s digital transformation, Kashifu Inuwa, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), stressed the imperative of establishing digital trust and adhering to international standards to support digitisation policies.
This declaration was made during a Digital Policy workshop organized by the British Standards Institution (BSI) in Abuja.
Inuwa, underscoring NITDA’s pivotal role in setting digital standards, highlighted the timely collaboration between NITDA, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the British Government. This collaboration, he said, is poised to fortify digital trust and foster increased adoption of technology within Nigeria.
The Director-General revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu mandated the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to spearhead economic diversification through technological innovation.
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He noted that the Ministry’s strategic plan, anchored on five pillars – Knowledge, Policy, Infrastructure, Innovation (Entrepreneurship & Capital), and Trade, aligns with NITDA’s own roadmap consisting of eight strategic pillars.
In the pursuit of building digital trust across sectors, Inuwa emphasized the need for international collaboration, especially in crafting standards for the Nigerian Digital Public Infrastructure.
He expressed the agency’s ambition to create solutions with indigenous roots yet possessing global market value.
Highlighting challenges in Nigeria’s digital landscape, Inuwa acknowledged the impact on trust, particularly in e-commerce and online transactions. He affirmed that adopting international standards holds the promise of restoring trust in transactions within the country.
In his concluding remarks, Inuwa expressed enthusiasm about forging a robust relationship with key players such as SON and international bodies like the BSI, envisioning Nigeria as an integral part of the global digital ecosystem.
Dr. Nigel Croft, Team Lead at the British Standards Institution, commended the collaboration, emphasizing post-workshop training sessions for critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s standards sector.
The workshop, featuring presentations by NITDA, BSI, and SON, facilitated a roundtable discussion where stakeholders exchanged insights on digitization challenges, global value chain opportunities, and transforming public services through international standards.
Optimism pervaded the event as participants anticipated that the conclusions and recommendations would chart a course towards realizing the anticipated gains in Nigeria’s digital evolution.
