Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi, NITDA’s Director-General, advocates for enhanced industry collaboration to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation at The Omniverse Summit 2025. He emphasizes the importance of innovation, supportive policies, and digital literacy in fostering a robust tech ecosystem. With significant internet penetration and a growing digital economy, Abdullahi underscores the need for public-private partnerships to strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global tech arena.
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi, has called for enhanced collaboration within the industry to expedite Nigeria’s digital transformation. At The Omniverse Summit 2025 held in Lagos, represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Abdullahi underscored innovation and policy as pivotal components for fostering sustainable digital growth.
With internet access now surpassing 55 percent and the digital economy projected to account for over 20 percent of Nigeria’s GDP by 2030, the nation’s technology ecosystem is witnessing rapid expansion. Notable successes include homegrown fintech companies like Flutterwave and Paystack, which draw significant investments and are reshaping financial services.
Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things are propelling advancements across various sectors including governance, agriculture, healthcare, and education. NITDA is dedicated to sustaining this growth through investments in research and development, talent cultivation, and robust startup support systems that aim to enhance digital literacy across the nation.
Recognizing the necessity for adaptable policies, Abdullahi highlighted frameworks such as the Nigeria Startup Act, which facilitates structured innovation support. He also referred to NITDA’s Regulatory Intelligence Framework that ensures that policies adapt to industry needs while protecting consumers and enabling business scalability.
Abdullahi further emphasized the critical need for strengthened data protection laws, cybersecurity frameworks, and responsible governance strategies for artificial intelligence. As Nigeria continues its digital evolution, he stressed that collaboration is essential in translating innovation into tangible progress.
Public-private partnerships are vital to Nigeria’s digital advancement, with recent collaborations between the Federal Government and major global tech players such as Microsoft, Google, and Meta demonstrating the value of synergy in building Nigeria’s digital infrastructure. A notable agreement with Google aims to position Nigeria as a global tech hub through infrastructure development and citizen skills enhancement.
NITDA’s focus on digital literacy was also highlighted, with initiatives like the Digital Literacy for All program, aiming for 70 percent digital literacy by 2027. Abdullahi stressed the importance of stronger links between industry and academia to ensure a skilled workforce ready to engage in a global economy.
Participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers opportunities for Nigeria to enhance its digital trade capabilities. By aligning digital trade policies and creating strategic partnerships, Nigeria can unlock new markets while attracting foreign investments to reinforce its status as a regional leader in digital services.
In conclusion, Abdullahi urged all stakeholders—including government, private sector, academia, and tech innovators—to collaborate in realizing a digital transformation that drives sustainable economic growth. He encouraged a unified vision of a future where technology empowers every citizen and sector in Nigeria, stating, “As the theme of this summit states, we are truly ‘Unified by Vision and Empowered by Collaboration.'”
Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi’s address at The Omniverse Summit 2025 underscores the urgency for greater industry collaboration in Nigeria’s digital transformation. By fostering innovation, enhancing digital literacy, and nurturing public-private partnerships, Nigeria can leverage its rapidly expanding tech ecosystem. The call for adaptive regulatory frameworks demonstrates a commitment to sustainable growth, paving the way for Nigeria to become a regional leader in the digital economy.
Original Source: sciencenigeria.com
