NITDA Urges Stronger Industry Collaboration for Digital Growth

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has emphasised the need for stronger industry collaboration to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation.

Speaking at the Omniverse Summit 2025 in Lagos, NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, highlighted innovation and policy as key drivers of sustainable growth. The summit, themed “Unified by Vision and Empowered by Collaboration,” provided a platform for industry discussions.

Represented by Dr Aristotle Onumo, Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Inuwa described collaboration as the essential link that translates innovation and policy into tangible progress.

He expressed confidence in Nigeria’s potential to become a global digital powerhouse, provided stakeholders work together.

“With an internet penetration rate exceeding 55 per cent and a digital economy projected to contribute over 20 per cent to GDP by 2030, Nigeria’s tech ecosystem is experiencing unprecedented growth,” he stated.

He cited homegrown fintech giants such as Flutterwave, Paystack, and Moniepoint as examples of how innovation is attracting billions in investment and reshaping financial services.

Beyond fintech, emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are playing a transformative role in governance, agriculture, healthcare, and education.

To sustain this momentum, NITDA is committed to fostering innovation through investment in research and development, talent cultivation, and startup support systems to bridge the digital divide and enhance digital literacy.

“No digital economy can thrive without adaptive policies,” he added.

Inuwa underscored the significance of regulatory frameworks such as the Nigeria Startup Act, which provides a structured approach to nurturing innovation.

He also highlighted NITDA’s Regulatory Intelligence Framework, designed to ensure a dynamic, intelligence-driven, and responsive regulatory environment that both protects consumers and enables businesses to scale.

He stressed the need for stronger data protection laws, enhanced cybersecurity frameworks, and AI governance strategies to promote responsible technology deployment.

Public-Private Partnerships Driving Growth

Inuwa acknowledged the critical role of public-private partnerships in driving digital transformation, citing recent collaborations between the Federal Government and global tech giants such as Microsoft, Google, and Meta.

A recent agreement between the Federal Government and Google, he noted, is set to transform Nigeria into a global technology hub, with a focus on infrastructure development, digital skills training, and AI innovation.

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“A collaborative approach ensures that digital policies and initiatives align with global best practices while addressing local needs,” he stated.

NITDA is also leading initiatives such as the Digital Literacy for All Programme, launched in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), aiming to achieve 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027.

Strengthening ties between industry and academia is also a priority, ensuring that digital skills training bridges the gap between theoretical learning and practical application.

Nigeria’s Role in the African Digital Economy

Nigeria’s active participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents an opportunity to position the country as a regional hub for digital trade and services.

The Director-General reaffirmed that achieving digital transformation in Nigeria requires bold decision-making, innovation, and strategic alliances.

He urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure that digital transformation is not just a vision but a reality that drives sustainable economic development.

“As the theme of this summit states, we are truly unified by vision and empowered by collaboration,” Inuwa said.

“Let us seize this moment to build a Nigeria where technology serves as an equaliser, empowering every citizen, every business, and every sector.”