Lagos, Nigeria — In a major push toward leveraging technology to drive economic growth in Nigeria, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, participated in the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) Advocacy Roundtable, an event aimed at discussing key strategies to foster national development. Themed “Role of Technology in Accelerating Nigeria’s Economic Growth,” the roundtable saw key stakeholders, policymakers, and experts converge to discuss the pivotal role technology plays in Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape.
Speaking as a panellist, Inuwa underscored the importance of emerging technologies, such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT), in transforming various sectors of the Nigerian economy. He highlighted that these technologies hold the potential to optimize operational efficiencies across industries, generate job opportunities, and enhance transparency in governmental processes.
“Blockchain, AI, and IoT are not just buzzwords,” Inuwa said. “They are transformative tools that can address systemic challenges in Nigeria, streamline operations, and foster innovation across sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and finance. By adopting these technologies, Nigeria can achieve significant economic milestones while empowering its citizens with critical skills for the future.”
In a landmark announcement, the NITDA Director General also unveiled plans to launch a Digital Skills Curriculum, developed in collaboration with Nigeria’s Ministry of Education. This curriculum, which is set to be integrated into the formal education system by next year, aims to provide young Nigerians with foundational technology skills from an early age. The curriculum will cover essential topics like coding, data analysis, and digital literacy, equipping students with the knowledge and competencies to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
“We recognize that technology education must begin early. Our goal with the Digital Skills Curriculum is to ensure that Nigerians can seamlessly navigate technology platforms, enabling them to become proactive contributors to the digital economy,” Inuwa added.
Beyond educational initiatives, Inuwa emphasized NITDA’s commitment to capacity-building programs, which will enable Nigerian youth to acquire skills in high-demand technology fields. Through partnerships with both local and international organizations, NITDA aims to provide mentorship, internships, and training programs focused on AI, blockchain, and IoT.
The NBCC Advocacy Roundtable also provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss policy frameworks, address challenges in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, and propose solutions to stimulate sustainable growth. Many attendees were optimistic about NITDA’s direction under Inuwa’s leadership, especially as the agency continues to champion digital literacy, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship in the tech space.
With Nigeria’s population steadily increasing and the demand for digital services expanding rapidly, NITDA’s strategies to embed technology education into the nation’s educational system and develop skilled human capital could be key to positioning Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s digital economy.
As the event concluded, stakeholders expressed their support for NITDA’s initiatives, underscoring the importance of a collaborative approach between government bodies, the private sector, and educational institutions in realizing Nigeria’s technological potential.