NITDA restates importance of safe, inclusive digital ecosystem in Nigeria

*Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, reiterates the significance of a safe and inclusive online environment for human and Artificial practices through strategic partnerships and collaborations to actualise Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In the agency’s drive to evolve strategic partnerships and collaborations for the advancement of Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has reiterated the need for a safe and inclusive online environment responsible for human and Artificial Intelligence (AI) practices in in Nigeria.

ConsumerConnect reports NITDA Sunday, May 12, 2024, disclosed Inuwa stated this while playing host to a team from TikTok, who visited Agency’s Corporate Headquarters, in Abuja, FCT, recently to seek alliance towards bolstering the country brand.

The agency stressed the Big Tech’s move aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s priority area of strengthening national security for peace and prosperity in the West African country.

Inuwa also asserted that content moderation strategies would help in addressing online problems, such as hate speech, misinformation, and cyberbullying in relation to the protection of minors in Nigeria.

He stated: “With the Code of practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries in place, this has helped in ensuring digital safety in accordance with global best practice and content moderation to enhance security.”

The Director-General of NITDA further said: “No organisation or institution can operate in silos; we need each other for the actualisation of our goals and objectives towards services delivery and for the advancement of the nation.”

Highlighting some critical areas, Inuwa stated that leveraging the social media platform would help to advance the country through Digital Literacy 4 All (DL4ALL), capacity building, knowledge sharing, trainings, and curbing misinformation, digital safety with the aim of creating a safer cyber space and empowering online environment for Nigerian users.

According to him, the platform allows for creative expression through filters, stickers, and editing tools, where entertainment and comedy are dominant themes, and informational videos on various topics are gaining traction, thereby becoming a launchpad for influencers and trends that can go viral.

NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0 (SRAP 2024-2027), Inuwa noted, is structured around eight pillars, including Fostering Digital Literacy and Cultivating Talents, Building a Robust Technology Research Ecosystem, Strengthening Policy Implementation and Legal Frameworks, and Promoting Inclusive Access to Digital Infrastructure and Services.

Others are Enhancing Cybersecurity and Digital Trust, Nurturing an Innovative and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, Forging Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations, and Cultivating a Vibrant organisational Culture with an Agile Workforce.

Earlier in her remarks during the visit, Mrs. Tokunbo Ibrahim, Head of Government Regulation and Public Policy at TikTok Nigeria and West Africa, had disclosed that NITDA is one of its biggest and critical stakeholders in Nigeria that has an outstanding strides and performance in advancing the digital economy sector.

Mrs. Ibrahim commended NITDA for its various initiatives, programmes, and policies that align with those of TikTok in providing the opportunity for Nigerian consumers to use the platform to market, sell and export their products and services as well as talents to the outside world while making a living with it.

She pointed out that there are projects and programmes that TikTok platform has forge ties of collaboration with, like the Africa creator hub where they do campaigns for tech creator, support, empower, and educate them on how to create contents and explore other sections of the platform, changing their narrative and adding values to what they are doing.

The TikTok Head of Government Regulation and Public Policy also emphasised that the global platform considers online safety as one of its critical areas to secure the cyberspace by providing an avenue for users to thrive and be productive in their various activities.

TikTok is currently running African mall to push the narrative of Africa to the world and creators are being equipped with information that they can create contents for products and services in Nigeria, thus can be exported to other countries of the world attracting investments, NITDA said.