*The National Information Technology Development Agency restates the importance of strategic partnerships and stakeholder collaboration in accelerating Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda
Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect
In advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reiterated the importance of strategic partnerships and stakeholder collaboration.
NITDA urged renewed commitment to the implementation of its strategic roadmap and action plan to advance digital economy.
NCC urges manufacturers, dealers in SIM-enabled devices to comply with type approval requirements
Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of the agency, stated this during the SRAP 2.0 Stakeholders’ Engagement at Lagos Business School (LBS) of the Pan-Atlantic University, in Lagos.
Inuwa, represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director, Special Duties Directorate at the agency, commended the leadership of Lagos Business School for sustaining the partnership with NITDA.
The Director-General of the IT sector regulatory agency also noted collaboration and collective intelligence have remained critical to achieving meaningful progress in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
He emphasised that the impact of the agency’s initiatives could be deepened through stronger partnerships.
Inuwa said inclusive stakeholder participation was essential to delivering sustainable results in the country’s digital transformation efforts.
According to him, the strategic roadmap and action plan were developed through extensive stakeholder consultations and collaborative engagements, rather than as an internal document produced without external input.
Inuwa noted that stakeholders, including members of Lagos Business School, actively participated in developing the document, making their continued involvement in reviewing its implementation necessary.
The NITDA Chief explained that the engagement provided an opportunity to assess progress, determine whether existing priorities remained relevant, identify areas requiring modification and establish whether the initiatives were delivering their intended impact.
He equally emphasised that the review was also necessary to evaluate progress against commitments made to stakeholders and ensure that the agency’s programmes continued to respond to the evolving needs of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Inuwa further acknowledged the contributions of colleagues at the agency.
According to him, highlighted its gradual transition towards becoming an ecosystem platform for digital innovation.
The Director-General also observed that the agency’s approach is increasingly embracing co-creation and collaboration, moving beyond the traditional model of issuing regulations, directives and guidelines to working with stakeholders in developing and delivering digital solutions.
According to him, this approach was essential to building an enabling environment where innovation could thrive and digital initiatives could achieve broader societal and economic impact.
Inuwa further noted that the agency had spent the past three years advancing the transition and was approaching the final phase of the process.
He urged stakeholders to renew their commitment and sustain the momentum required to achieve the desired outcomes.
Reaffirming the agency’s vision, he said the goal remained to make Nigeria a digitally enabled country, fostering inclusive economic development through technological innovation.
He explained that the eight strategic pillars underpinning the roadmap remained central to achieving this vision and would continue to guide the agency’s priorities and interventions.
The Director-General urged stakeholders to critically assess progress across these areas, particularly in digital skills development, regulatory effectiveness, digital infrastructure and services, entrepreneurship, innovation and the growth of Nigeria’s startup ecosystem.
He also highlighted the importance of examining progress in implementing the Startup Act, and assessing its contribution to strengthening the startup community and promoting innovation-driven enterprise development.
On stakeholder engagement, he reiterated the need to ensure that relevant players across the digital ecosystem were carried along, noting that effective collaboration remained essential to achieving the objectives of the national digital agenda.
Inuwa, therefore, expressed confidence that sustained partnerships, collective commitment, and constructive contributions from stakeholders would help the agency to address emerging challenges, strengthen implementation and advance Nigeria’s digital development goals.
The Director-General concluded by urging stakeholders to embrace the partnership approach, and work collectively towards building a digitally enabled Nigeria that could serve as a catalyst for digital transformation across Africa.