The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called on Nigerian business leaders to shift their mindset about Artificial Intelligence (AI), urging them to see it not as a threat to human jobs, but as a powerful collaborator in driving innovation, productivity, and sustainable economic growth.
Speaking during a high-level panel session titled “Builders of the New Nigeria – Stories of Scale, Grit, and Innovation” at the prestigious BusinessDay CEO Forum Nigeria, held recently in Lagos, Inuwa challenged conventional perceptions of AI as merely an automation tool. Instead, he encouraged CEOs, entrepreneurs, and corporate executives to adopt a more strategic and forward-thinking approach to integrating AI into their operations.
“I see Artificial Intelligence not just as a tool for automation,” Inuwa stated, “but as a thought partner — a co-creator that can help us unlock unprecedented levels of productivity, creativity, and strategic foresight. Business leaders must embrace AI as a collaborative force that augments human capabilities, not one that replaces them.”
He highlighted how leading economies around the world are already leveraging AI to transform industries, enhance decision-making, and drive value creation at scale. According to him, Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind in this new wave of technological disruption.
“We are in the early stages of a global digital transformation where AI is playing a central role. For Nigeria to build a resilient and inclusive digital economy, we must empower our businesses to adopt emerging technologies — with AI being a cornerstone,” he said.
Inuwa emphasized that embracing AI is not just about staying competitive; it’s also about preparing the workforce for the future. He urged CEOs to invest in capacity-building for their teams, noting that a collaborative ecosystem where humans and AI work together will define the future of work.
He also shared insights on how NITDA is spearheading several national initiatives focused on building Nigeria’s AI readiness, including the development of an AI Policy Framework, the promotion of digital talent development, and the establishment of innovation hubs that support AI-driven startups and research.
“Through strategic policies and public-private partnerships, NITDA is laying the foundation for Nigeria to harness the full potential of AI and other emerging technologies. But the private sector must play its part by embracing innovation, investing in research, and integrating AI across value chains,” he added.
The BusinessDay CEO Forum, which brought together some of Nigeria’s most influential business minds, provided a platform for robust conversations around leadership, scale, and the future of business in a tech-driven world. Inuwa’s remarks resonated with the Forum’s central theme — reimagining Nigeria’s economic future through innovation and bold leadership.
As AI continues to evolve globally, the NITDA boss reiterated that Nigeria must position itself not just as a consumer of technology, but as an active innovator and contributor.
“The future belongs to those who can innovate at scale. AI is here to stay, and those who embrace it as a partner, not a threat, will define the next chapter of Nigeria’s economic success story,” he concluded.
