Nigeria is taking decisive steps to redefine its place in the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) landscape, with the government unveiling plans to develop an indigenous Large Language Model (LLM) tailored to the nation’s linguistic and cultural diversity. The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, disclosed this during a Fireside Chat at the AI Stage of the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) 2025 in Dubai, where he reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to using AI as a catalyst for innovation, national development, and global competitiveness. “Nigeria has over 500 languages and countless dialects. If we rely…
Author: Our REPORTER
PalmPay, a leading neobank driving financial inclusion in Nigeria, has been awarded Digital Governance Company of the Year (Fintech Innovation) at the Nigeria GovTech Awards 2025, organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR). The prestigious event, held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, celebrated organisations and individuals driving digital transformation, innovation, and good governance through technology in Nigeria. Receiving the award, Chika Reginald Nwosu, Managing Director of PalmPay Limited, expressed gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance financial inclusion and support Nigeria’s digital economy agenda. “This award…
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has urged stronger collaboration, innovation, and inclusive policymaking to position Africa as an AI-ready continent. Speaking at the Hyperscalers Convergence Africa 2025 in Lagos, themed “Fostering a Digital Africa: Connectivities, Convergence and Innovation,” Inuwa said Africa’s youthful population remains its greatest asset, provided the right skills and structures are in place. “We have a generation that is energetic and curious about technology. Our task is to equip them with digital and technical skills to transform this demographic advantage into a digital dividend,” he said, citing NITDA’s…
With preparations in full swing, anticipation is building for the 2025 Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), which will bring together leading voices in media, governance, and policy to dissect the theme: “Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities: Challenges and Prospects.” Now in its ninth edition, the high-profile conference is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos. The annual gathering has become a significant platform for thought leaders, policymakers, and media professionals to engage in critical national conversations on governance, accountability, and the role of the…
The push for a more coordinated and collaborative approach to Nigeria’s digital future took centre stage as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) convened technology leaders, policymakers, and innovators at the Principal IT Stakeholders Forum 2025 in Abuja. With the theme of deepened partnership underscoring every discussion, both organisations reiterated that Nigeria’s digital transformation can only be achieved through collective effort and strategic alignment across the technology ecosystem. Speaking at the forum, the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnerships, emphasised that building a…
As Nigeria advances its digital transformation agenda, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has intensified efforts to enhance institutional competence in technology governance through a specialised capacity-building workshop for legal officers under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE). Held in Abuja, the one-day workshop focused on Information Technology Contract Management, equipping participants with practical insights on procurement procedures, negotiation strategies, compliance standards, and dispute resolution mechanisms essential to modern IT engagements. Representing the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, the Agency’s Director of Regulations and Compliance, Barrister Emmanuel Edet, underscored the centrality of IT contracts in…
The Nigerian media industry is reeling in shock following the brutal killing of ARISE Television anchor, Somtochukwu ‘Sommie’ Maduagwu, who was murdered by armed robbers during an early Monday morning attack at her residence in Katampe, Abuja. Maduagwu, fondly called “Sommie” by colleagues, was just 29 years old. She was not only a promising broadcaster whose vibrant voice connected with millions of viewers, but also a trained lawyer described by many as professional, supportive, and deeply compassionate. In a statement signed by Hadiza Usman-Ajayi on behalf of ARISE News management, the organisation expressed devastation at the loss: “Sommie was not…
The Anambra State Government, under the visionary leadership of Mr. Governor, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has powerfully positioned the state as a leading hub for innovation in Africa, following a series of impactful presentations, engagements and a prestigious award win at two major international forums in Beijing. Ms. Chinwe Okoli, Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation, represented the state at both the Triple Helix Association & CASSSP Innovation Summit and the International Association of Science Parks (IASP) 42nd World Conference held in Beijing, China this September. Her engagements culminated in the Solution Innovation District (SID), the…
Nigeria’s drive to digitise agriculture and strengthen its startup ecosystem has received a significant boost through the partnership between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). At the closing ceremony of the Survey on the Digitisation of Supply Chains in Small-Scale Nigerian Farms, an initiative organised by AGROVESTO, a JICA-funded agritech startup and beneficiary of NITDA’s iHatch Incubation Programme Cohort 2, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, highlighted the transformative impact of the collaboration. Represented by Dr. Amina Sambo-Magaji, Deputy Director, e-Government and Digital Economy Development Department, Inuwa described the partnership as…
In response to the growing demand for digital skills, Nigerian-owned Borderless TEK Ltd, headquartered at Runway East in Birmingham, has announced a new free training program aimed at adults seeking to transition into the technology sector. The initiative, now in its third series, is part of the company’s mission to make technology education more accessible and engaging. This year’s flagship session, “Introduction to Technology,” will be delivered in early October by world-renowned tutor Emeka Oziri, who has been central to the company’s adult training efforts. Speaking on the upcoming program, Olawale Atekoja (CEO, BorderlessTek) explained that over the years, the…