As part of its core mandate to develop, regulate, and advise on information technology in Nigeria, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has several key functions. These include implementing the National Digital Economy Policy, setting IT standards, providing IT project clearance for public institutions, securing cyberspace, fostering local content, and advancing digital literacy to build a sustainable digital economy.
Since the current leadership and management team, headed by Director General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, came on board, NITDA has been repositioned and rebranded as a focal point for digital transformation, innovation, and development in the country. The agency now manages the national computer emergency response team, provides cybersecurity services, fosters digital literacy by supporting digital skills registration, and creates an enabling framework for developing digital skills.
In a press release signed by the Director of Media and Stakeholders Engagement of the Citizen Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI), Mahmud Bello, it was stated that Inuwa’s leadership has enhanced general productivity, staff performance, and the agency’s overall institutional development. Progress has been made in literacy development, capacity building, increased digital skills for youth across the country, data management security, cybersecurity, collaboration and partnerships with digital players and industry experts, and the sensitization of Nigerians on information technology — on a scale never seen since the agency’s creation.
According to the release, the Director General has called for intensified collaboration and partnership among key stakeholders to unlock the vast potential of Nigeria’s digital economy. At a recent stakeholders’ meeting themed “Creating Opportunities, Breaking Boundaries,” the DG emphasized that as Africa’s largest economy by GDP, Nigeria is at a pivotal crossroads. He noted that the digital sector offers a strategic and urgent pathway for economic diversification, job creation, and sustainable national development. He highlighted that in an increasingly interconnected global landscape, digitalization has become the primary engine for economic transformation, providing unprecedented access to knowledge and technology that allows developing nations like Nigeria to compete on a global scale. He stressed that because the tech sector is one of the fastest‑growing segments of the world economy, Nigeria must deliberately position itself to harness these advancements to ensure it is not left behind in the race for innovation.
To spearhead this movement, NITDA is actively implementing its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) and the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF). These initiatives are designed to equip citizens with essential digital skills and create an enabling environment for underserved communities. The Chief Executive revealed that NITDA has already established over 100 IT centers nationwide to support learning. However, the long‑term sustainability and expansion of these infrastructures depend heavily on deeper cooperation and partnerships across all sectors.
The statement also emphasized that at the 2026 GITEX Africa Summit, NITDA DG Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi warned of artificial intelligence (AI) threats, stating that the era of treating cybersecurity as a mere IT problem is over. As AI‑powered digital threats become more elusive and destructive, Nigeria is shifting its strategy toward “Total Resilience” — a multi‑dimensional defense involving every level of society. The summit sounded the alarm on the changing nature of digital warfare, asserting that technology alone is no longer enough. It noted that Nigeria’s survival in the digital age now hinges on a strategic blend of policy, people, and proactive defense. CWAI agrees that the current global digital environment is at a “critical turning point” where everyone must be involved in cyber resilience. Emerging technologies are not only transforming industries and economies but are also reshaping the nature of cyber threats, demanding a proactive and multi‑dimensional response from governments, institutions, and the citizenry.
The DG stated, “Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue. It is a strategic imperative for national development. We must think beyond technology alone and build resilience through people, processes, regulations, and infrastructure.” It is believed that the focus of Nigeria’s cyber strategy is shifting from high‑tech software to the people behind the screens. Pointing to data showing that 95% of all digital breaches stem from simple human mistakes, the DG argued that the world’s most advanced encryption is useless if the user is compromised. He said, “The most sophisticated technology cannot protect us if the human element is overlooked.”
CWAI emphasizes that by prioritizing human capacity and digital literacy, NITDA aims to turn every citizen into a “human firewall” — the first and most critical line of defense in a world where AI‑driven attacks are the new normal. In response, the Nigerian government has launched a comprehensive National Digital Literacy Programme aimed at achieving 95% digital literacy by 2030, with an interim target of 70% by 2027. Consequently, CWAI stated that effective cyber resilience requires collaboration between the public and private sectors, and that NITDA is working closely with ministries, departments, agencies, and private sector stakeholders such as the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd(NNPC), Federal Character Commission ( FCC), Corporate Affairs Commission ( CAC), the National Commission for Almajiri and Out- of – School Children’s Foundation, ICPC, NBC, SMEDAN, NYSC and NigComSat, among others to secure critical infrastructure and strengthen national resilience. As stated by CWAI, “Cyber resilience is not a solo effort; it is a collective responsibility. By integrating people, technology, and regulation, we can build a secure, globally competitive digital economy.”
The statement reiterates that as Nigeria navigates a digital‑first future, initiatives such as the National Digital Literacy Programme, the “3 Million Tech Talent” programme, and strengthened legal frameworks underscore a commitment to turning cybersecurity challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth. These programmes are designed to develop Nigerian expertise across key technology domains, including cybersecurity, data science, and AI, and accordingly leverage hackathons, innovation challenges, and mentorship schemes to channel young people’s skills into productive, lawful, and globally competitive ventures.
CWAI appreciates NITDA’s reinforced commitment to advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda through strengthened collaboration with key strategic institutions. This commitment was demonstrated when the agency hosted the Director General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Professor Ayo Omotayo, alongside participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC 48, 2026). The visit, a strategic study tour, provided a platform for in‑depth engagement on the role of digital innovation in driving sustainable economic growth, with particular focus on the Orange Economy. It highlighted the agency’s commitment to fostering a vibrant digital ecosystem through inclusive policies, strategic partnerships, and capacity development initiatives. Moreover, it noted that NITDA is committed to creating an enabling environment where innovation can thrive by bringing together government, the private sector, academia, and creatives to drive Nigeria’s digital economy. The agency underscored the growing importance of the Orange Economy, describing it as a critical driver of innovation and economic value through intellectual property. It identified sectors such as digital content creation, film animation, and digital art as key contributors to national development, and further highlighted Nigeria’s unique advantage — particularly its youthful and creative population — while calling for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to fully harness the sector’s potential. During the interaction, NITDA’s Chief Executive stated, “With our youthful population and rich cultural assets, Nigeria is well‑positioned to become a global leader in the Orange Economy if we deepen collaboration and investment across the ecosystem.”
Nevertheless, speaking at the Nigerian Satellite Week 2026 in Abuja, themed “Harnessing Space Technology for an Extraordinary Nigeria,” Director General Kashifu Inuwa urged the various stakeholders present to embrace partnerships as a pathway to innovation and impact. According to him, “Take a good step, and you can make a difference,” emphasizing the need to translate ideas into tangible outcomes through collective effort. The NITDA boss, while delivering a paper titled “Enhancing Collaboration between Government, Agencies and Emerging Start‑ups,” outlined four guiding principles for driving transformation: enabling the ecosystem rather than controlling it; prioritizing networks over institutions; developing talent while supporting innovation and adopting practical solutions; and focusing on platforms rather than isolated projects. He highlighted the evolving role of space technology, noting that start‑ups are increasingly driving innovation across telecommunications, navigation, security, and cloud services. Once dominated by global superpowers, the sector is now emerging as a key economic driver, with Nigeria’s “Sunrise Packet” projected to contribute over US$1.5 billion to the economy by 2030.
CWAI states categorically that development regulation should focus on creating markets, orchestrating ecosystems, and delivering public value rather than stifling innovation. Several initiatives are supporting the growth of Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, such as the Start‑up Act, Idea Hatch, and the National Digital Leadership Programme, all designed to empower young innovators and connect them to global opportunities. Furthermore, platforms such as GITEX Africa, GITEX Nigeria, and Digital Nigeria — which provide visibility for start‑ups and attract investment, partnerships, and mentorship — should be encouraged across all sectors of the Nigerian economy and the youthful demographic to propel all‑inclusive growth.