The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to transform ideas into impactful digital solutions in Nigeria.
The Director-General of NITDA, Mr. Kashifu Inuwa made the call during an engagement meeting with the States Digital Economy Technical Working Group on Thursday in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, Southwest Nigeria..
Participants from Oyo, Osun, and Ogun States shared ideas and explored ways to pool resources for the advancement of information technology in the South-West region.
The theme of the event was: ‘Creating Opportunities, Breaking Boundaries: Toward Digitalisation and Entrepreneurial Evolution.’
Inuwa, who was represented by the Director of Zonal Office Coordination, NITDA, Abuja, Mr Babajide Ajayi, said “the objective of the meeting was to align with the Digital Economy Initiatives at the state level with the Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan.’
Digital Economy Ecosystem
Mr Ajayi noted that the engagement would further offer stakeholders in the states’ digital economy ecosystem the opportunity to express their views and opinions on matters related to the agency’s implementation of its mandate.
According to him, the meeting provides an avenue for sensitisation, familiarisation and enhancement of the working relationship between the agency and the key IT stakeholders at the state level.
This, he said, would lead to the establishment of a sustainable model of collaborations and consistent channels for feedback and exchange of ideas.
He said: “Previous Statewide Stakeholder Engagement Programmes in Ogun, Oyo, and Osun States in 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively led to creation of a Technical Working Group for each of the states to take our engagement and collaboration to the next level.
“As we navigate digitalisation and entrepreneurial evolution, NITDA stands as a beacon of guidance.”
“We are committed to providing an enabling environment and a platform for collaboration that empowers all stakeholders to be catalysts of change,” Mr Ajayi said.
Also, the Coordinator, NITDA South-West Zonal Office, Mrs Chioma Okee-Agugwo, said Nigeria has reached a pivotal point in national development journey with the world shifting rapidly into a digitally driven economy.
Represented by the Assistant-Director, South-West Zonal Office, Mrs Shoremi, Okee-Agugwo reiterated that the meeting would deepen engagement, align strategies, and foster shared ownership of Nigeria’s digital transformation journey at all levels of government.
She said; “Intelligence is the new oil, connectivity is the new infrastructure, and innovation is the new growth driver.
“Digital transformation has become a journey that requires vision, investment, capacity building, mutual accountability and most importantly, collaboration.”
The Senior Special Assistant on ICT and E-Governance to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr Bayo Akande, said the state remained committed to adoption of ICT as a driver of inclusive growth.
Akande expressed the state government’s readiness to partner with the NITDA in ensuring that the outcomes from the Technical Working Group translate into real impact for the citizens.
NAN/Jide Johnson.