The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA),Dr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has challenged Nigerian youth to take charge of Africa’s digital revolution, described them as the driving force for the continent’s transformation and prosperity.
Delivering his opening address at the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition 2025 held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, Inuwa said Nigeria’s young population represents the country’s greatest asset and must be equipped to create value in a rapidly evolving digital world.
He commended Vice President Kashim Shettima for declaring the three-day conference open, noting that his presence reflected the administration’s deep commitment to youth empowerment and the digital economy.
Organised by NITDA, the conference provides a platform for government, industry, and innovators to align strategies, strengthen public–private partnerships, and accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Inuwa said the conference’s theme, “Innovation for a Sustainable Digital Future: Accelerating Growth, Inclusion, and Global Competitiveness,” captures the essence of Nigeria’s push toward economic diversification through technology, industrialisation, and innovation.
“Nigeria, with over 220 million people and an average age of 18, stands at a critical crossroads,” he stated. “If we harness the energy, creativity, and talent of our youth, we can power not just Nigeria but the entire Africa into a new era of prosperity. But if we fail to do that, we risk stunting our most valuable asset.”
He disclosed that the 2025 edition of the conference attracted more than 4,800 participants from 12 countries and 25 Nigerian states, featuring 12 keynote sessions, 23 panel discussions, five workshops, and two masterclasses across five thematic tracks — digital connectivity, digital public infrastructure and trust, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, digital trade and innovation, and digital skills and literacy.
Inuwa urged participants to seize the opportunity to forge meaningful collaborations that yield measurable outcomes.
“Every handshake, every dialogue, and every deal made here should be driven by one conviction: Nigeria can do it — and we will do it,” he affirmed.
