The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has issued a compelling call for Nigeria to prioritize digital inclusion and human capital development as the cornerstone of its reform and recovery agenda.
Speaking at the 13th edition of BusinessDay’s Annual CEO Forum in Lagos, themed “Nigeria: From Reform to Recovery,” Inuwa emphasized that reforms must begin with equipping citizens with the digital skills and visibility needed to thrive in today’s economy.
“Our greatest national asset isn’t oil or minerals—it’s our people,” Inuwa declared. “If we are truly committed to reform, we must start by building digital fluency across every demographic. Because in today’s world, if you’re not digitally visible, you’re effectively excluded.”
He warned that with the growing adoption of digital technologies in public service delivery, financial inclusion, and entrepreneurship, Nigerians without digital access or presence risk being cut off from economic opportunities, government services, and even basic recognition in a tech-driven society.
“We’re building automated systems that determine who qualifies for jobs, loans, healthcare, or education. If you’re not in the digital loop, the system won’t see you,” he said.
Inuwa’s keynote touched on NITDA’s evolving role in Nigeria’s development journey. From its humble beginnings in 2001—when less than 500,000 Nigerians had access to computers—the agency has transformed into a national driver of digital innovation, infrastructure, and policy leadership.
“Back then, our focus was on providing access to hardware and basic tech literacy. Today, over 130 million Nigerians are online, and the ICT sector contributes more than 17% to our GDP,” he noted. “This remarkable growth shows what’s possible when we invest in digital capabilities.”
However, he cautioned against complacency, stating that access alone is no longer enough. The next phase of reform, he said, must focus on empowerment, trust, and meaningful participation in the digital economy.
“Our vision is to create a digitally empowered Nigeria where every citizen can contribute to and benefit from a knowledge-based economy,” Inuwa said. “We must shift from just enabling connectivity to building a culture of innovation and inclusion.”
He also emphasized the importance of ethical policy reforms and digital rights, particularly as artificial intelligence, data governance, and digital ID systems continue to shape the global economic landscape.
NITDA, he revealed, is implementing a national strategy anchored on digital literacy, smart regulation, innovation-driven enterprises, and secure infrastructure to ensure Nigeria doesn’t just catch up with global digital trends but becomes a leader in the space.
The BusinessDay CEO Forum convened senior business executives, policymakers, and thought leaders to explore pathways for transforming Nigeria’s economy through innovation, efficiency, and reform.
Inuwa’s remarks served as a powerful reminder that no reform is truly inclusive without digital access and capability—and that Nigeria’s future prosperity hinges on making its human capital not just visible, but digitally empowered.
