NITDA Director General Outlines Strategic Roadmap for Digital Transformation
By Matthew Eloyi
In a stirring address at the official launch of the Digital For All Challenge 2.0 on Wednesday, Mr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), outlined a comprehensive strategic roadmap aimed at fostering digital literacy, bolstering technological research, and promoting inclusive access to digital infrastructure and services.
Emphasizing the power of strategic partnerships and collaboration, Abdullahi asserted, “At NITDA, we don’t believe in working alone because no one succeeds in isolation. If we really want to create value and make an impact, we need to work as a team.”
He highlighted the upcoming unveiling of NITDA’s new strategic roadmap in the first quarter of the year, which will consist of eight pillars aimed at driving Nigeria’s digital transformation.
The first pillar, Abdullahi explained, focuses on fostering digital literacy and cultivating talents, with a goal to achieve 95% digital literacy by 2030. He stressed the importance of investing in human capital, citing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s keen interest in leveraging knowledge as a foundation for Nigeria’s economic growth.
Furthermore, Abdullahi outlined plans to establish tech clubs across the country, fostering skills development and competitions at local, state, and national levels. He underscored the collaborative efforts with organizations like TECH4DEV to showcase the best participants at events like the annual Digital Nigerian Conference.
The second pillar of NITDA’s strategic roadmap centres on building a robust technology research ecosystem, while the third focuses on promoting inclusive access to digital infrastructure and services. Abdullahi detailed plans to deploy learning centres and innovation hubs across all 36 states, enabling individuals to incubate and accelerate their ideas.
Strengthening policy implementation and legal frameworks constitutes the fourth pillar, with Abdullahi emphasizing the need for an enabling environment to support digital initiatives. Cybersecurity and digital trust form the fifth pillar, crucial for instilling confidence in citizens, foreign partners, and investors.
Abdullahi also highlighted the importance of nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship through challenges and skills development, representing the sixth pillar. The seventh pillar underscores the significance of forging strategic partnerships and collaborations, exemplified by the support from the UK government and various agencies.
Finally, the eighth pillar focuses on internal transformation within NITDA to institutionalize processes and ensure sustainability across administrations. Abdullahi affirmed the agency’s commitment to building skill sets, cultivating mindsets, and leveraging technology for process automation.
In conclusion, Abdullahi’s address outlined a bold vision for Nigeria’s digital future, underpinned by strategic planning, collaborative partnerships, and a steadfast commitment to empowering citizens through digital literacy and innovation.
The launch of the Digital For All Challenge 2.0 marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards a digitally inclusive society, with NITDA leading the charge in driving sustainable growth and development through technology.
