Abuja, Nigeria — The head of Nigeria’s primary information technology regulator has called on state and local governments to forge a “deeper digital alliance” with the federal government to accelerate technology-driven inclusive growth across the nation.
Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), made the plea during a high-level visit to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Secretariat in Abuja. He emphasised that digital transformation must be a unified national vision to succeed.
“Our mandate isn’t just federal—it’s truly national, which means it must embrace state and local governments,” Mr. Inuwa asserted. He urged state leaders to “strengthen collaborations that embed our initiatives directly within state and local structures.”
Mr. Inuwa highlighted Nigeria’s rapid digital progress, noting that ICT now contributes over 17% to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with more than 130 million internet users, a significant leap from when the sector contributed less than 0.5% to the GDP.
Focus on Digital Literacy and Talent
The DG outlined NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP), focusing particularly on its first pillar: Fostering Digital Literacy and Cultivating Talent. The agency aims to achieve 70% digital literacy by 2027 and 95% by 2030.
Initiatives currently underway include:
- The 3 million Tech Talent (3MTT) Programme.
- Integrating digital skills into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and other bodies.
- The NYSC Digital Literacy Champions Initiative to train civil servants and corps members, aiming to reach over 10 million Nigerians annually in the informal sector.
Mr. Inuwa stressed that “No one succeeds in isolation. We must work as an ecosystem to create prosperity and inclusivity through technology.”
Governors’ Forum Pledges Support
The Director General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Abdulateef Shittu, welcomed NITDA’s call, describing the visit as a “significant step toward strengthening intergovernmental collaboration.”
Mr. Shittu commended NITDA’s leadership, stating that technology is a “national imperative” capable of improving service delivery and expanding economic opportunities. He highlighted the NGF’s own efforts, including producing reports that guide subnational reforms in digital identity, data exchange, and trust systems across Nigeria’s 36 states.
He concluded: “With strong partnership and shared accountability, we will unlock a future.
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