The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating Nigeria’s digital transformation by leveraging cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and regulatory innovations to strengthen the country’s position as a leading African digital hub.
Speaking at the Africa Hyperscalers Digital Infrastructure Outlook 2025, NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, highlighted the agency’s strategic focus on balancing regulation with industry growth to support the Federal Government’s Presidential 8-Point Agenda.
He explained that NITDA adopts a two-pronged regulatory approach—rule-based regulation for strict industry compliance and non-rule-based regulation that encourages innovation within set benchmarks.
“Before we regulate anything, we need to be aware of the landscape. We must be data-driven, dynamic, and adaptable because technology is evolving rapidly,” Inuwa stated.
Inuwa emphasized the importance of the Cloud First Policy, introduced in 2019, to reduce reliance on physical data centers and promote cloud computing and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions. He noted that while initial policies allowed businesses to use global cloud services, NITDA is now advocating for local data centers to expand their capacity. As part of this effort, Google Cloud has pledged to collaborate with local data centers to drive cloud adoption and establish a hyperscaler data center in Nigeria.
“The Google CEO, Sundar Pichai, met President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Paris, where the President outlined his vision for Nigeria’s digital transformation. Technology is a key driver in achieving his economic diversification, national security, and infrastructure goals,” Inuwa revealed.
To further boost data security and sovereignty, NITDA is finalizing a framework for data classification, ensuring that certain categories of data remain within Nigeria’s borders.
Inuwa also stressed that Africa should focus on AI applications rather than attempting to develop Large Language Models (LLMs). He identified three key areas where AI can revolutionize governance and business operations: process automation, regulatory efficiency, and knowledge management systems.
“The real power of AI is in its application. We should prioritize its deployment in healthcare, agriculture, and financial services, where it can deliver immediate impact,” he added.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Nadu Denloye, Co-founder of Telnet Nigeria Limited, noted that Africa is on the brink of a remarkable digital transformation, driven by cloud adoption, AI, and a growing digital-native population.
“By fostering collaboration among key stakeholders, we can overcome challenges and unlock immense opportunities for Africa’s digital future,” she said.
Other industry experts at the event included Dr. Ayaotunde Coker, Chairman, Africa Data Centres Association; Johnson AgboGbua, CEO, Kasi Cloud; Obinna Isiadinso, Data Centres Global Sector Lead, International Finance Corporation; Kazeem Oladepo, COO, IHS; and Abibat Kazeem, Commercial Director, Bayobab. The event provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss Africa’s role in the growing AI-driven digital infrastructure landscape.
With NITDA’s commitment to cloud adoption, AI integration, and data security, Nigeria is set to solidify its position as a key player in Africa’s digital economy.
