The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called on policymakers to harness technology and local resources for economic development. Speaking at the FutureMap Workshop held in Hadejia, Jigawa State, Inuwa emphasized the importance of leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and digital skills to drive productivity across key sectors such as agriculture, health, education, and energy.
The event, themed “AI for Office Productivity, Design Thinking, Agriculture, Health, Education, Energy, and Climate Change,” brought together academics, professionals, startup founders, students, and government officials. Inuwa highlighted Jigawa’s significant pool of computer science graduates as a potential catalyst for economic growth, provided they are equipped with the right skills.
He underscored the need for policies that foster remote work opportunities, citing success stories of young Nigerians who have transitioned to high-paying remote jobs with foreign companies. He also encouraged the integration of AI into governance, using examples such as digitized land and birth registration to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and enhance efficiency.
Jigawa’s computer science graduates were identified as a valuable resource that, if properly empowered, could position the state as a hub for tech-driven growth. Policies that build remote work competencies were advocated to create global employment opportunities. Kashifu also emphasized the transformative potential of AI, noted how digitized government services could improve efficiency and reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks.
The event also stressed the importance of partnerships between public and private sectors to drive innovation and economic development. In a goodwill message, Huawei’s representative, Dr. Nihinlola Mary Fafore, reiterated the company’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and fostering innovation in Northern Nigeria. She emphasized Huawei’s dedication to equipping young Nigerians with digital skills to boost employability and entrepreneurship.
Dr. Rislan Abdulazeez Kanya, Jigawa State’s Technical Adviser on ICT, highlighted the untapped potential of local human capital and called for strategic policies to position Jigawa as a hub for tech-driven development. He stressed the importance of public-private collaboration in empowering communities through technology.
The workshop also spotlighted the broader impact of digital transformation, with participants encouraged to adopt AI-driven solutions in their workplaces and daily operations. Inuwa urged participants to rethink service delivery by utilizing resources efficiently and fostering innovation through technology.
Organized by the FutureMap Foundation in collaboration with NITDA, Huawei, Cosmopolitan University, and other partners, the event emphasized the need for digital skills acquisition and sustainable economic growth. The FutureMap Academy in Hadejia continues to provide advanced tech education, fostering a robust tech ecosystem in Nigeria. Training programs have been established to empower young Nigerians with deep-tech skills and prepare them for a digitally-driven future.
The workshop reaffirmed the commitment of all stakeholders to achieving a technologically advanced and inclusive future for Jigawa and beyond.
