News Highlights:
- NITDA is building a digital ecosystem to help Nigerian creators innovate, scale globally, and fully participate in the digital economy.
- Nigeria’s creative sector, currently valued at over $9 billion, is projected to exceed $13 billion with the right support.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has outlined an ambitious technology-led framework to accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s creative and arts industry, positioning digital infrastructure, talent development, and regulatory support as the backbone for transforming the sector into a major economic driver.
Aligning with the current administration’s push to diversify the economy through industrialisation, digitisation, creative arts, and manufacturing, the Agency reaffirmed its commitment to unlocking the industry’s full value through targeted digital initiatives, enabling regulations, and strategic infrastructure development.
Speaking at Moment 2026 — Africa’s largest convergence of creators, NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, said the Agency is building a technology-driven ecosystem that will allow Nigerian creators to scale innovation and compete on the global stage.
Inuwa was represented at the event by the Director of the DG’s Office, Dr Ayodeji Eniola.
Highlighting the sector’s economic trajectory, he noted that Nigeria’s creative industry, currently valued at over $9 billion, could surpass $13 billion in the coming years if supported by the right systems and policies.
“Nigeria has always been a nation of storytellers, musicians, filmmakers, designers, and innovators. What is remarkable today is that this creativity has evolved beyond cultural expression to become a powerful economic force.”
Central to NITDA’s strategy is the development of digital talent. Through flagship programmes such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative, the Agency is equipping young Nigerians with in-demand skills in animation, visual effects, game development, and digital media to prepare them for opportunities in the fast-growing global creator economy.
Inuwa stressed that the future of the creative sector lies at the intersection of artistry and technology.
“Today, creativity is powered by connectivity, computing power, digital platforms, and data. A smartphone, a laptop, and access to the internet can enable a young Nigerian to reach millions of people around the world.”
To support this digital transformation, NITDA is advancing major infrastructure projects, including the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative, which will provide secure and scalable local computing resources for creators and digital entrepreneurs.
The Agency is also supporting broadband expansion efforts such as Project BRIDGE to improve connectivity nationwide and widen participation in the digital economy.
Beyond infrastructure, NITDA is strengthening regulatory frameworks around cybersecurity, data protection, and digital trust, safeguards considered essential for protecting creators’ intellectual property and ensuring safe participation in online platforms.
The Agency is also leveraging emerging technologies to position Nigeria as a global innovation hub in creative production. Through the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), NITDA is promoting research and capacity building in artificial intelligence, enabling creators to integrate advanced tools into content production and digital storytelling.
Encouraging young creatives to recognise the broader impact of their work, the DG underscored the strategic importance of the sector to national development. “Your creativity is not just entertainment. It is innovation, intellectual property, economic opportunity, and national influence.”
He reaffirmed that NITDA will continue to deploy policies, infrastructure, and innovation ecosystems designed to help the creative industry grow sustainably, generate employment, and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.
