The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called for strengthened industry collaboration to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation, describing innovation and policy as critical enablers of sustainable economic growth.
Inuwa, represented by NITDA’s Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Dr. Aristotle Onumo, made the appeal at the Omniverse Summit 2025 held in Lagos. He stressed that Nigeria’s potential to become a global digital powerhouse lies in the collective efforts of stakeholders across public and private sectors.
According to the DG, Nigeria’s digital economy is witnessing unprecedented growth, with internet penetration exceeding 55% and the sector projected to contribute over 20% to the nation’s GDP by 2030. He cited indigenous fintech giants like Flutterwave, Paystack, and Moniepoint as examples of how innovation is attracting billions of dollars in investments and transforming financial services.
Beyond fintech, Inuwa highlighted the impact of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) in reshaping critical sectors like healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance.
To sustain this momentum, he reiterated NITDA’s commitment to fostering innovation through research and development investments, startup support systems, and digital literacy programmes.
“No digital economy can thrive without adaptive policies. The Nigeria Startup Act and NITDA’s Regulatory Intelligence Framework are designed to create a dynamic regulatory environment that protects consumers while enabling businesses to scale,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of data protection laws, cybersecurity frameworks, and AI governance strategies to promote responsible technology deployment.
Inuwa commended recent public-private partnerships between the Federal Government and tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Meta, noting that such collaborations are vital to aligning Nigeria’s digital policies with global best practices.
Highlighting the ongoing Digital Literacy for All programme in partnership with the NYSC, he said the initiative aims to achieve 70% digital literacy by 2027, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical applications.
He further urged stakeholders to leverage Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to position the country as a regional hub for digital trade and services.
“As the theme of this summit states, we are truly ‘Unified by Vision and Empowered by Collaboration.’ Let us seize this moment to build a Nigeria where technology empowers every citizen, business, and sector,” Inuwa concluded.
The Omniverse Summit 2025 brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to discuss the future of technology and its role in driving inclusive economic growth in Nigeria.
