Washington: The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Abdullahi, has announced that Nigeria is strategically positioning itself to spearhead Africa’s digital transformation. This initiative was highlighted during the 2025 IMF/World Bank Group Annual Meetings.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Abdullahi emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI), renewable energy, and inclusive technological innovations as the main drivers of this transformation. The Federal Government is focused on boosting rural prosperity by leveraging these technologies as catalysts for national growth. Abdullahi noted that renewable energy serves as an enabler for wider connectivity, which in turn sparks further technological advancements.
The Director-General also highlighted the government’s emphasis on addressing energy access challenges and shaping Nigeria’s technological future through AI. NITDA has established the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics and developed a National AI Strategy aimed at fostering sustainable and inclusive AI systems for national development.
Abdullahi outlined NITDA’s strategic roadmap, which is based on eight pillars, including digital literacy, innovation, infrastructure, and research ecosystems. He stated that the agency would focus on technologies such as AI, blockchain, robotics, additive manufacturing, Internet of Things (IoT), and unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Since 2023, NITDA has built over 220 Digital Economy Centres nationwide, with plans to expand to 500 centres by 2027 under the project 774 initiative.
Digital literacy is being integrated into Nigeria’s formal education curriculum, with approvals from the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC), making it a mandatory general studies subject. Several initiatives are also in place to empower youth and children, especially women, to innovate and transform ideas into viable products.
Abdullahi mentioned NITDA’s partnerships with global tech firms like Google, Microsoft, Cisco, Huawei, and organizations like JICA, GIZ, EU, ITU, USAID, and FCDO, which play a crucial role in expanding Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem. However, challenges such as infrastructure deficits, access to patient capital, and talent gaps remain. The government is addressing these through policies like the startup act, youth entrepreneurship and innovation bank, and the IDICE programme.
Trust between the government and private sector is being rebuilt through co-creation and public-private partnerships, reflecting President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a private sector-led but government-enabled economy. Abdullahi emphasized that leadership is about trust and that co-creating policies with the ecosystem simplifies processes.