Nigeria’s future is brighter, prosperous in Digital Transformation –NITDA Chief

*Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, asserts it is evident that Nigeria is well-positioned to be the global talent factory, as the West African country is also set for investments and global collaborations to attain digital transformation for prosperity

*US envoy commends Nigeria on digital transformation efforts

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has predicted the Nigeria’s digital transformation future would be “brighter and also offers hope of being prosperous.”

Inuwa expressed this optimism while delivering his Keynote Address address titled, “Implementing a National Digital Transformation Agenda”, at the Global Tech Africa 2023, in Lagos.

ConsumerConnect reports the theme of this year’s conference is, “Facilitating Investments in Africa’s Digital Economy”.

The Information Technology (IT) sector regulatory agency noted that the forum, which provides a platform to bring together African and international stakeholders in technology to unlock growth opportunities for all, and build the tech ecosystem in Africa was put together by Ascend Studio Foundation, in partnership with NITDA, the US Consulate, Venture Garden Group, Business Sweden, and RivExcel Health.

The Director-General of NITDA also disclosed the Nigeria’s greatest resource on which he hinges his prediction is Nigeria’s abundant human capital which remains the country’s greatest resource.

According to Inuwa, several global reports have predicted that there would be global talent crunch by 2030 that could affect the future of work, but which Nigeria can explore to re-imagining itself to become global talent factory.

“It is evident that Nigeria is not just positioned to be the global talent factory, but we are also set for investments and global collaborations because all developed countries will suffer from that deficit, including the United States (US).

He equally said: “But Nigeria, we have one of the youngest populations in the world. We have the largest population in Africa.

“The largest economy; we have the market, and we have the youth, and we have natural talent.”

Nigeria’s tapping into USD8.5Trillion global digital transformation GDP

For Nigeria to maximise its potential and benefit from the global digital transformation package, Inuwa explained: “If we position ourselves, we can bridge that global talent deficit, and we can benefit from the 8.5 trillion USD digital transformation global Gross Domestic Product, (GDP.)

According to him, Nigeria’s focus is beyond digital economy, but the attainment of national digital transformation because of pervasive nature of digital technology and its capacity to transform any industry power by digital technology.

The Director-General further emphasised that for the country to benefit from this, “we need to position ourselves and design the economy to reap the benefit of digital transformation.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to accelerate the country’s economy by diversifying it in a way that would enhance productivity across all sector through digital innovation, Inuwa noted.

He stated: “Our mandate is not just about digital economy but transformation of the digital space and how we can empower and enhance productivity across all sector.”

3-Pronged approach to  implementation strategy

In regard to the country’s digital economy cum transformation strategy, he stressed the approach to implementation strategy, which Nigeria has adopted to drive its digital transformation agenda in the ecosystem.

The NITDA Chief explained that the approach is focused on three fronts.

Inuwa stated: “Firstly, reimagining ourselves in the global economy, secondly, embrace and creation of values for our ecosystem because no one succeeds in isolation and lastly, improve connectivity.”

With the new Minister’s five priority areas as contained in a document tagged, “Accelerating our Collective Prosperity through Technical Efficiency, A Strategic Plan for the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy,” Nigeria Strategic Agenda 2023-2027 to digital transformation would now be anchored on Knowledge, Policy, Infrastructure, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Capital, and Trade.

US envoy commends Nigeria on digital transformation efforts

In his remarks at the conference, Mr. Will Stephen, United States Consular General,  applauded Nigeria’s strive towards digital transformation, saying it is is commendable.

Stephen assured that with such gusto, the country is currently exhibiting, digital transformation would soon blossom in the economy.

He also commended Nigeria for various partnerships and collaborations it has forged with some American Big Tech companies.

The US envoy urged stakeholders for continuous collaborations.

The US Consul-General promised that America would ensure continuous collaboration with Nigeria in promoting its digital transformation agenda.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Executive Trustee of Future Map Foundation, the convener of the Global Tech Africa, Mr. Ahmad Shuaibu.

Shuaibu, who was represented at the conference by Mrs. Farida Yahaya, disclosed that Africa would play pivotal roles in shaping the “unprecedented technological revolution” the world is currently witnessing.

The African continent’s young and vibrant population with its rich natural resources and growing entrepreneurial spirit, provide a solid foundation for the technological innovation, she stated.

Yahaya.

She as well noted that the Global Technology Africa Summit 2023 would serve as a powerful platform to showcase Africa’s technological prowess and connect innovators with investors, partners, and mentors.

Yahaya said: “This gathering of minds will undoubtedly spark new ideas, collaborations, and opportunities, propelling Africa’s technological journey to new heights.”

The highlight of the day one of the conference was the signing of partnership agreement for the Startup Support and Engagement Portal between NITDA and Venture Group Garden (VGG), said NITDA.

Inuwa, therefore, described the agreement as a “milestone and exhilarating because it would provide the Nigeria’s startups access to funding as enshrined in the Nigeria Startup Act 2022.”

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