News Highlights:
- NITDA Advocates Research-Driven Innovation for National Development
- Lancaster University, NITDA to Collaborate on RIPE Programme
In a renewed effort to drive sustainable national development and youth empowerment through innovation, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called for stronger collaboration among academia, industry, and government.
Inuwa made the call during a working visit by a delegation from Lancaster University, United Kingdom, led by Professor Kirk Semple, Director of International Research, to NITDA’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting focused on exploring avenues for strategic partnership under the Research and Innovation Partnership for Entrepreneurship (RIPE) programme—an initiative aimed at leveraging academic research and innovation to spur entrepreneurial growth and economic transformation.
Highlighting a key challenge facing Nigeria and Africa, Inuwa said the region suffers from a significant gap in research investment, which continues to impede progress toward knowledge-based economies.
“For us to build a robust and sustainable economy, we need to invest in research. That is where we have a huge gap in Nigeria and Africa at large, we don’t invest in research,” he said.
Citing agriculture as a case in point, he explained that many Nigerian farmers lack access to essential data and digital tools that could revolutionise productivity and improve resource efficiency, and stressed that research and development are crucial to addressing sector-specific challenges and for shaping the policies and regulations necessary to drive digital transformation.
Inuwa also outlined NITDA’s current focus on emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), blockchain, robotics, and additive manufacturing, noting that these innovations hold enormous potential for solving local problems and unlocking new economic opportunities.
“The goal is to create a vibrant technology-research ecosystem that unites academia, industry, government, entrepreneurs, and risk capital,” he stated.
He called for better alignment between university curricula and the needs of industry, urging academic institutions to produce talent capable of tackling practical challenges through innovation and further stressed the importance of coordination among stakeholders to avoid duplicative efforts and inefficiencies.
The NITDA boss referenced the eight strategic pillars of the Federal Government’s development agenda, which include reforming the economy for inclusive and sustainable growth, strengthening national security, boosting agriculture to achieve food security, unlocking energy and natural resources, improving infrastructure and transportation, investing in education, health and social welfare, accelerating industrialisation through innovation, and enhancing governance and service delivery.
To support these national priorities, he highlighted NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0 (SRAP 2024–2027), which he said is designed to guide the agency’s operations across critical areas. These include digital literacy, technology research, legal frameworks, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, innovation ecosystems, strategic partnerships, and workforce development.
“We place a strong emphasis on research because without it, you cannot develop effective policies or regulations that drive real change in the ecosystem,” Inuwa added.
He emphasized that the meeting with Lancaster University represented a key step in NITDA’s commitment to international collaboration and aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stating that such partnerships are vital to positioning Nigeria as a leader in the global digital economy through research-led innovation.
In his remarks, Professor Kirk Semple affirmed Lancaster University’s global reputation for impactful research and its dedication to strategic partnerships that deliver societal value, describing the RIPE programme as a platform that goes beyond academic theory to deliver practical solutions.
“Universities today are under pressure to demonstrate value beyond knowledge creation. Strategic partnerships like this with NITDA helps ensure research informed policy, supports innovation, and drives meaningful change in communities,” Semple said.
He highlighted the role of innovation in bridging the gap between academia and society, adding that universities serve as essential hubs for organisations lacking internal research capabilities to access the expertise and resources needed to address global issues such as climate change, public health, and technological inequality.
While stressing the importance of building diverse, long-term networks that foster collaboration across sectors, Professor Semple noted, “The true measure of success lies in sustained impact rather than accolades.”
The visit marks a significant milestone in deepening cooperation between Nigeria and global academic institutions, paving the way for research-driven progress and economic transformation.
