Nigeria’s IT regulator urges youths to build indigenous AI solutions

*Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, challenges Nigerian youths from diverse backgrounds to collaborate, create practical AI-driven solutions tailored to realities in the country’s economy

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

As emerging technologies offer a major opportunity for innovation and digital transformation in economies, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) again, has challenged young Nigerians to drive the development of home-grown Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions capable of addressing the country’s unique socio-economic challenges.

Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of NITDA, gave the charge while delivery a keynote address at an Artificial Intelligence Hackathon, which the agency organised in partnership with VibeCode Africa, in Abuja, FCT.

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Inuwa, represented at the event by Dr. Ahmed Tambuwal, Acting Director of Digital Literacy and Capacity Building at NITDA, who also spoke through Mrs. Udoka Mannie, said Nigeria’s youthful population presented a major opportunity for innovation and digital transformation.

The Director-General of the agency also said the gathering provided a strategic platform for participants from diverse backgrounds to collaborate and create practical AI-driven solutions tailored to Nigeria’s realities.

With over 60 percent of Nigerians under the age of 25, Inuwa affirmed that the West African country possesses one of the youngest populations globally, positioning it to benefit significantly from emerging technologies.

He further noted: “As you can see, this room is filled with young people, this represents a powerful opportunity for innovation and digital skills development.”

According to him, Artificial Intelligence is already reshaping economies, governance systems and societies worldwide.

The NITDA Chief Executive emphasised the key question for Nigeria is whether it would actively shape AI for national development, or remain a passive consumer of foreign innovations.

Touching on the mandate of the agency, Inuwa said NITDA’s mandate remains the development and regulation of Information Technology (IT) in Nigeria.

This, he stated, also ensures that technology serves as a catalyst for growth rather than mere consumption.

Inuwa also explained that the agency’s Digital Literacy and Capacity Building Department is focused on building a digitally skilled population capable of participating meaningfully in the global digital economy.

He as well highlighted the agency’s Digital Literacy for All initiative (DL4ALL) as one of its flagship programmes aimed at equipping millions of Nigerians with critical digital skills.

According to him, it aligns with the Federal Government’s target of achieving 95 percent digital literacy by 2030.

Inuwa said: “Beyond literacy, we are now moving into capability. It is one thing to use technology, but another thing entirely to build with it.

“Today, we are challenging you to build.”

He urged participants to focus on impact driven innovation rather than prizes or applause.

The Director-General observed that Nigeria has no shortage of pressing challenges requiring technological interventions.

Inuwa identified healthcare access in rural communities, inefficiencies in public service delivery, agriculture, education, financial inclusion and misinformation as sectors where AI can deliver transformative solutions.

He emphasised the importance of inclusion, ethics and data protection in the development of AI systems.

Inuwa, however, cautioned Nigerians: “As we explore AI, we must be mindful of ethics, data protection and inclusion.

“Building responsibly is just as important as building brilliantly.”

He commended Vibe Code Africa for partnering with NITDA to host the hackathon, describing such collaborations as critical to driving innovation at scale.

Encouraging participants to work together, experiment and learn quickly, he said the future of artificial intelligence in Nigeria would not be imported but created by local innovators.

Inuwa stated: “The future of AI in Nigeria will not be imported. It will be built by people like you in rooms like this.”

Earlier, in her opening address, Lola Adey, Founder of VibeCode Africa, urged young Nigerians to harness Artificial Intelligence to solve pressing national challenges.

Adey averred that Africa must become a centre of innovation rather than a talent reservoir for foreign economies.

She also explained this year’s edition of the hackathon would depart from previous formats where participants were assigned sectors, such as agriculture or healthcare.

Instead, teams were asked to identify challenges they personally experience in their communities and develop solutions around them.

Adey further stated: “We’re not going to give you any industry. We want you to dig deep into yourselves.

“What are the problems you are facing? What are the problems your brothers and sisters are facing? What are the issues you notice when you walk around?”

Adey equally cited persistent electricity shortages, insecurity and social service gaps as examples of problems that innovative youths could begin to tackle through technology.

The basic objective of the programme is not merely to gather young people for discussions but to create pathways that transform lives through entrepreneurship, employment and global opportunities, she said.

The Founder of VibeCode Africa equally said: “With Artificial Intelligence, you now have something in your hand that you can use to actually solve problems.

“You don’t have to wait for anybody anymore.”

She encouraged participants to remain focused, humble and collaborative, noting that the event could connect them to future co-founders, investors or employers.

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