“Space Technology, key to Digital Transformation” – NITDA Director-General

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) says that in order to achieve digital transformation in Nigeria, there is a need to harness the opportunities embedded in the Space Technology ecosystem.

The NITDA Director-General, Mr Kashifu stated this at the Corporate Headquarters of the Agency in Abuja when he met with delegates from the Nigerian Institute of Space Engineers (NISEng) led by its National Chairman, Dr Okpanachi George, who came to seek possible collaboration with the agency.

The NITDA boss who emphasised the importance of government agencies partnership with private organisations noted that NITDA as the regulator of Information Technology in the country has put in place, policies and created an enabling environment for producers and professionals to invest and create innovations that will sustain a digital Nigeria.

He further stated that contrary to beliefs that satellites are obsolete, emerging technologies is now transforming the Space technology ecosystem which will evolve a new chapter and give rise to enormous transformation in the industry.

The DG noted that the agency is willing to partner with the NISEng because he believes the collaboration will drive innovations, as the Space Technology Ecosystem is everywhere and encompasses different sectors like Communications, Agriculture and Security.

Inuwa maintained that Artificial Intelligence and Robotics play a key role in the digital space and “NITDA through its National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) will collaborate with the NISEng in coming up with ideas which will transform the country through initiatives such as the Research and Development, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence and Innovations.”

“The that capacity building is an important factor in research and development and the agency will give its support in capturing all demography especially the young start-ups in order to create a robust local content which will prepare and position the country for the Fourth Industrial Revolution,“ the NITDA Boss affirmed.

He added that collaborations between the two organisations will exploit all possible innovations, ideas and commercialize them, this, in turn, will transform NISEng into a competitive, global standard institute and sustain a digital Nigeria as a whole.

The Nigerian Institute of Space Engineers, Chairman, Dr Okpanachi who thanked the NITDA Boss and other management staff for receiving them commended the Agency for its dynamism and passion in sustaining a digital Nigeria.

He particularly thanked the DG for sending a representative to the institute’s 10th National Conference and Annual General Meeting in the previous year and further reiterated commitment for deeper collaboration with NITDA on programmes that are insightfully valuable for national and professional development.

PIAK