*Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency, highlights how Nigeria’s digital future relies heavily on responsible Artificial Intelligence adoption, digital sovereignty, and homegrown innovation
Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has emphasised that Nigeria’s digital future relies heavily on responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption, digital sovereignty, and homegrown innovation.
ConsumerConnect reports NITDA recently reaffirmed its commitment to establishing Nigeria as a frontrunner in Africa’s Artificial Intelligence economy.
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Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of the agency, who noted this while speaking at the AI Summit Nigeria 2026—hosted by Microsoft in Abuja— described AI as a transformative force capable of revolutionising every economic sector.
Represented at the event by Barr. Emmanuel Edet, NITDA’s Acting Director of Regulation and Compliance, Inuwa delivered insights were delivered, highlighted that trust serves as the bedrock for any sustainable AI rollout.
The Director-General of NITDA said without a firm commitment to accountability and transparency, widespread innovation simply could not scale.
He also stated: “Without public trust, AI adoption will be stalled.
“Without accountability, innovation will not scale sustainably, and without transparency, citizens will lose confidence in the systems designed to serve them.”
With the theme, “From Policy to Progress: Accelerating Responsible AI Adoption for Nigeria’s Digital Decade”, Inuwa affirmed the summit was a collaborative effort between Microsoft, NITDA and MTN Nigeria.
The Information Technology (IT) sector regulatory agency said the event attracted a diverse group of public and private sector stakeholders to map out actionable strategies for embedding AI in the fabric of the Nigerian economy.
NITDA said a central theme of Inuwa’s address was the critical need for Nigeria to achieve true digital sovereignty.
The Chief Executive of the agency, therefore, urged the West African country to pivot from being mere consumers of global technology to becoming active creators of it.
Stated he: “We must become creators of intelligence rooted in our realities and responsive to our aspirations.
“We must build local talent, strengthen research ecosystems and create an enabling environment where Nigerian and African solutions can thrive.”
Africa, Inuwa averred, needs to play a defining role in shaping the global future of AI, rather than just adapting to technologies built elsewhere.
In his address at the event, Nonye Ujam, Director of Government Affairs for West Africa at Microsoft, Nigeria’s proactive steps in AI governance, particularly through the National AI Strategy (NAIS), and ongoing regulatory reforms.
However, Ujam challenged attendees to move past the paperwork, and focus on executing AI solutions that yield measurable benefits for everyday citizens, businesses, and government operations.
She also observed that truly effective AI adoption hinges on robust governance frameworks, solid infrastructure, and institutional capacity, all while anchoring new innovations to the core principles of fairness, security, transparency, and accountability.
According to NITDA, the summit sparked vital conversations around regulatory clarity, digital sovereignty, and the delicate balance between fostering innovation, driving collaboration, and maintaining strategic control over Nigeria’s fast-evolving tech landscape.
The event drew active participation from key institutions, including the Nigeria Customs Service, the National Identity Management Commission, and Galaxy Backbone, all signaling a unified front for Nigeria’s digital future.