Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director-general/ CEO, NITDA (National Information Technology Development Agency) has noted that reforms must start with human capital because every Nigerian needs to be digitally visible to participate in today’s economy.
“Our human capital is our greatest resource. If we are serious about reform, we must start with building digital fluency across the population. We are building systems that will make decisions on who gets what in society. If you’re not digitally visible, you risk being excluded,” he said.
He stressed this during the 13th edition of BusinessDay’s annual CEO Forum, themed, ‘Nigeria: From Reform to Recovery’, while offering a compelling vision for Nigeria’s digital future, that places technology, policy reform, and human capital at the centre of national development.
Inuwa’s address which was centered around NITDA’s evolving mandate, highlighted how the agency has moved from enabling access to computers in 2001 to now positioning Nigeria as a continent-wide leader in digital innovation.
“Back then, fewer than 500,000 Nigerians had access to computers. Today, over 130 million Nigerians are online, and ICT now contributes more than 17 percent to our GDP,” he said.
“Whether it’s the mechanic at the motor parts market or a federal director in Abuja, every Nigerian must be part of this digital economy,” he said.
To this end, he pointed out that NITDA has developed the National Digital Literacy Framework, which targets 95 percent digital literacy by 2030, and 70 percent by 2027 under the President’s directive.
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Inuwa also stressed that reforms must be viewed as ongoing processes rather than one-off interventions.
“Recovery should not be a finish line. Reform is an infinite game, each success should become the starting point for a new goal,” he said.
Building a strategic framework for a digitally empowered Nigeria
At the heart of NITDA’s strategy is a roadmap aligned with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy’s blueprint. The framework is being implemented in three streams:
Informal sector training, e.g., market traders, artisans in partnership with the NYSC.
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Formal education integration, working with the Ministry of Education to embed digital skills in school curricula as compulsory general studies.
Workforce readiness, in partnership with the Head of Civil Service to ensure all civil servants are digitally proficient.
Strengthening technology, research and innovation
Inuwa stressed the importance of investing in deep tech such as AI, IoT, robotics, and blockchain to enhance productivity and reform sectors like agriculture, health, education, and finance.
“With technology, we can 10x productivity and reduce operational costs,” he noted.
Policy and regulatory frameworks for innovation
Emphasising the need for responsive governance, Inuwa explained NITDA’s shift towards non-rule-based regulation, co-creating policies alongside stakeholders to support innovation.
“You can’t regulate what you don’t fully understand. AI, for example, isn’t something we can control using old legal templates. We need to co-design modern frameworks,” he explained.
Stimulating local innovation ecosystem
With a digitally literate workforce, NITDA is encouraging startups to develop homegrown tech solutions. “It’s not enough to import technology. We need to build our digital offerings in-country,” he said.
He also noted that as digital systems scale, so must trust.
“Citizens must feel safe and confident when using digital tools. Trust is foundational to any digital transformation,” Inuwa stressed.
Building strategic partnerships for impact
Inuwa noted that sustainable change must involve collaborative ecosystems. “Government will create the policy and infrastructure. But the private sector, academia, investors, and entrepreneurs are the changemakers,” he said.
He added that NITDA’s model involves five stakeholder groups: academia (to produce talent), corporates (to absorb talent), entrepreneurs (to drive innovation), risk capital (to fund ideas), and government (to enable systems).
Technology as a source of national inspiration
Inuwa went further to reframe the role of technology.
“We used to call it an enabler. Then we moved to calling it a strategic partner. But now, technology is a source of inspiration.
“Your only limitation is your imagination,” he declared. Citing the abundance of data, ubiquitous connectivity, and limitless processing power, he underscored the transformative potential of digital tools.
Inuwa reminded attendees that NITDA’s work is not about short-term fixes, but laying the groundwork for long-term, inclusive progress.
“Recovery is not the end. It’s the platform for the next reform. And through digital transformation, we’re building the workforce and the Nigeria of the future.”
