The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called for stronger strategic partnerships and sustained stakeholder collaboration to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation and promote inclusive economic growth.
The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, made the call at the Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) Stakeholders’ Engagement held at Lagos Business School.
Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of the Special Duties Directorate, represented him at the event.
Inuwa emphasized the need for stakeholders to renew their commitment to implementing the agency’s strategic blueprint, noting that collective expertise and collaboration are essential to achieving meaningful results from Nigeria’s digital initiatives.
He commended Lagos Business School for its sustained partnership with the agency, stressing that SRAP 2.0 was developed through extensive consultations with industry players and other stakeholders rather than as an internal policy document.
According to him, the engagement provided an opportunity to assess the implementation of the roadmap, evaluate the impact of ongoing initiatives and determine whether existing priorities remain relevant amid rapid changes in the digital ecosystem.
He also highlighted the importance of measuring progress against commitments previously made to stakeholders, noting that regular reviews would help NITDA identify gaps, adjust strategies and ensure that its interventions respond effectively to emerging technological trends.
The Director-General said the agency had spent the past three years transitioning from a conventional regulatory institution focused on issuing directives to a more collaborative organization that promotes innovation through stakeholder engagement and co-creation.
He explained that the transformation was aimed at creating an enabling environment for technological innovation and ensuring that digital solutions deliver broad socioeconomic benefits.
Inuwa reaffirmed that NITDA’s overarching objective was to build a digitally enabled Nigeria capable of driving inclusive economic growth, guided by the eight strategic pillars of its roadmap.
He urged participants to critically assess progress across the pillars, particularly in digital skills development, regulatory efficiency, digital infrastructure and the expansion of digital services.
The implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act was also identified as a key area for review, with stakeholders encouraged to assess its effectiveness in supporting local entrepreneurs, strengthening startup communities and promoting innovation-driven businesses.
Inuwa expressed confidence that sustained collaboration across the digital ecosystem would help address emerging challenges and keep Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda on course.
He urged stakeholders to embrace a shared approach to implementation, accountability, and innovation, saying a united effort would help build a resilient digital economy and position Nigeria as a model for digital transformation in Africa.
