Commitment to Digital Transformation and National Development
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s dedication to advancing digital literacy, fostering innovation, and expanding technology infrastructure as essential elements for inclusive national development.
During a speech at the 2-Day Interactive Session on Government–Citizens Engagement, hosted by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation at Arewa House in Kaduna, Inuwa highlighted the importance of these initiatives. The event brought together key stakeholders from government, civil society, academia, and policymakers to evaluate the progress of the Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with a focus on governance delivery and citizen inclusion.
Inuwa emphasized that digital transformation is not only central to achieving the eight priority areas outlined by the President but also plays a vital role in uniting the country through equitable access to opportunities. He described the digital economy as a cross-cutting enabler that can enhance productivity across all sectors, including agriculture, education, healthcare, and financial services.
He stated, “Digital technology is not a vertical sector; it is pervasive and foundational. It powers everything else and provides a framework for inclusive growth.”
Strategic Focus Areas
The NITDA boss outlined the agency’s strategic focus around three pillars: human capital development, digital infrastructure, and innovation-driven entrepreneurship. He noted that the Renewed Hope Agenda has brought renewed vision and energy to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), enabling them to work collaboratively and build stronger trust between the government and the private sector.
On the topic of human capital, Inuwa pointed out that Nigeria’s greatest resource is its people, and developing digital skills at scale is crucial to unlocking this potential. Through initiatives such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme and the Digital Literacy for All campaign, NITDA has trained over 350,000 individuals in Northern Nigeria since 2023. The goal is to ensure that by 2027, more than 70 percent of Nigerians have attained basic digital literacy.
To achieve this, Inuwa said NITDA is working closely with the Federal Ministry of Education to embed digital skills into the formal education system from kindergarten to tertiary level. Partnerships with the National Universities Commission (NUC) are ongoing to ensure digital literacy becomes part of the general studies curriculum across Nigerian universities.
Additionally, NITDA is collaborating with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to train corps members annually. These members then serve as digital literacy champions, taking technology skills into rural communities and informal sectors.
Expanding Digital Infrastructure
Infrastructure is another critical area of focus. Inuwa announced that the Federal Government has approved the deployment of 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables across the country to expand broadband penetration. He also mentioned that three digital centers are currently being built in each state to ensure that underserved and unserved communities can participate meaningfully in the digital economy.
Northern Nigeria, with its wide coverage and developmental needs, is expected to benefit immensely from this rollout. In the last two years, 13 IT Community Centres, 101 Digital Economy e-learning Centres, and one Cybersecurity Research Centre were established.
Attracting Global Investment
Inuwa also disclosed that the conducive investment climate fostered by President Tinubu’s reforms has sparked renewed interest from global technology companies. Tech giants such as Google and Microsoft have brought significant investments to Nigeria.
Looking ahead, Nigeria will host two major global technology events in the coming months: GITEX Nigeria in September and the United Nations’ ICT for Governance (ICEGOV) Summit in November. Both events are expected to attract global innovators and investors.
