Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), restates the agency’s commitment to propelling Nigeria’s digital advancement, nurturing innovation, and positioning the nation as a prominent global hub for technology talent and entrepreneurship.
Inuwa affirmed this dedication during a fireside chat at TechCabal’s Moonshot event in Lagos State, moderated by Alex Onukwue, a reporter with Semafor. He provided insights into NITDA’s transformative vision for Nigeria’s digital landscape and highlighted strategic approaches toward inclusive growth and realizing Nigeria’s digital potential.
Established in 2001 to bridge the digital divide, NITDA’s interventions have drastically increased digital accessibility, with over 50% of Nigerians now having computer access via their mobile phones. Inuwa emphasized the agency’s shift in mandate in 2019, focusing on leveraging technology for economic growth, encapsulated in five strategic pillars: knowledge, policy, infrastructure, innovation, and trade.
Crucially, Inuwa stressed the importance of fostering collaboration between the government and the tech ecosystem, underscoring the need for a symbiotic partnership to drive positive change. He also reiterated the significance of retaining talent within Nigeria, envisioning the nation as a talent net exporter through the provision of opportunities, training, and global market access.
The discussion at TechCabal’s Moonshot event explored a variety of topics, including local governments’ involvement in driving innovation and entrepreneurship. NITDA outlined plans to partner with training providers to broaden access to education, launch a call for applications, and digitize government services to generate more job opportunities within the digital ecosystem.
Moonshot by TechCabal stands as Africa’s premier conference, gathering visionary leaders to brainstorm solutions for the continent’s most pressing challenges in technology, innovation, and startups.”
