News Highlights:
- NITDA DG unveils National AI plan to boost inclusion, innovation, and global competitiveness.
- Inuwa urges tech-driven cultural policies to harness AI, digital skills, and blockchain for creative and economic growth.
A call has been made for the adoption of robust policies and strengthened collaborations to ensure that technological innovations align with Nigeria’s cultural heritage and developmental aspirations.
Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, who made the call during a virtual panel session titled “Culture and Innovation: The Changing Landscape and Technoculture,” underscored the importance of viewing technology as a neutral tool capable of driving Nigeria’s socio-economic progress.
Inuwa, who spoke at the event organized by the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy in partnership with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and UNESCO, outlined the importance of leveraging technology to balance cultural preservation with economic growth.
Represented by the Acting Director, Regulation and Compliance, Barrister Emmanuel Edet, Inuwa stressed that technology is inherently neutral—it is neither beneficial nor harmful in isolation but depends on the intent and strategy behind its usage.
Inuwa highlighted the growing influence of digital innovation on global cultures and economies, citing creative tools like Figma, Canva, and CorelDRAW, which leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance user experience, and stressed the importance of equipping Nigerians with relevant digital skills to effectively harness these technologies for economic advancement.
“To this end, NITDA has established digital learning centres nationwide, providing education in Emerging Technologies. The National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) is also playing a pivotal role by offering training programs and creating tech hubs aimed at improving productivity and skill acquisition,” he said.
At the event, Inuwa unveiled Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, a framework designed to position the nation as a frontrunner in AI adoption, and stated that this strategy focuses on intellectual property rights and prioritises efficiency and transformation across critical sectors, especially through its emphasis on social inclusion and development.
NITDA’s commitment to digital security and intellectual property protection, according to him, has also resulted in the launch of a National Blockchain Policy, an initiative that supports creative industries by enabling artists, musicians, and filmmakers to tokenise their works, ensuring proof of ownership and curbing copyright violations.
“Technology is a tool—it all depends on how we use it. Our objective is to create an environment that allows technology to contribute to Nigeria’s economic and creative development,” Inuwa remarked.
Director, Office of the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Mr. Ibrahim Suleiman described the event as a timely opportunity for stakeholders to chart a course for Nigeria’s future progress.
With participation from government officials, industry experts, and thought leaders, the discussions centred on tackling challenges and identifying opportunities within the arts, culture, and creative economy sectors.
Digital TimesNG gathered that among the key sub-themes that formed basis for the discussion included leveraging technological advancements, fostering innovation, and formulating policies to boost Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
The summit underscored the role of digital tools, Artificial intelligence, and Blockchain in preserving cultural heritage, driving economic empowerment, and creating jobs.
It is anticipated that actionable outcomes from this event will help shape the future of Nigeria’s creative and cultural industries, solidifying their role as essential contributors to national development, as it provided a platform for stakeholders to explore the dynamic role of technology in shaping cultural and economic transformations.
