As part of ongoing efforts to deepen international cooperation on data governance, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, addressed participants at the Nigeria Data Privacy Capacity Building Workshop in Abuja. The workshop was organised by the United States Department of State and brought together policymakers, regulators, and technology stakeholders.
During his address, Inuwa reaffirmed Nigeria’s firm commitment to building a trusted, secure, and inclusive digital ecosystem. He stressed that this commitment aligns directly with President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s priority to strengthen national security for peace and prosperity. According to him, digital trust now sits at the heart of economic stability, public confidence, and long-term growth.
Furthermore, the NITDA Director General highlighted the steady growth of the U.S.–Nigeria digital partnership. He traced this collaboration from the 2024 Binational Commission engagements to the jointly hosted Artificial Intelligence Conference. He also pointed to sustained interactions with U.S. cybersecurity firms as evidence of deepening cooperation. These engagements, he noted, continue to strengthen Nigeria’s technical capacity and institutional readiness.
In addition, Inuwa explained that data governance now extends beyond regulation alone. It also supports innovation, safeguards national interests, and protects citizens. Therefore, Nigeria continues to prioritise policies that balance innovation with responsibility. Through this approach, the country aims to encourage digital growth while protecting personal data and critical infrastructure.
He further emphasised that data privacy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and sound policy all converge around one central objective. That objective, he said, is trust in the digital economy. When trust grows, innovation accelerates. At the same time, compliance costs fall. As a result, businesses expand faster and citizens engage more confidently with digital services.
Moreover, Inuwa noted that strong data protection frameworks attract investment and partnerships. International investors, he explained, seek predictable and transparent digital environments. By strengthening privacy safeguards, Nigeria sends a clear signal of readiness and reliability to global partners.
He also commended the U.S. Department of State for supporting capacity building efforts in Nigeria. According to him, such collaborations help bridge knowledge gaps and promote global best practices. They also empower regulators and practitioners to respond effectively to emerging digital risks.
Importantly, the workshop provided a platform for open dialogue and skills transfer. Participants explored practical approaches to privacy enforcement, cross-border data flows, and cybersecurity resilience. Through these exchanges, Nigeria continues to refine its regulatory systems and strengthen institutional coordination.
In conclusion, NITDA reaffirmed Strengthens U.S.–Nigeria Data Governance Partnership to Build Digital Trust. Through collaboration, policy clarity, and capacity building, Nigeria aims to unlock the full value of its digital economy. With trust as the foundation, the country continues to position itself for sustainable innovation, security, and shared prosperity.
