News Highlights:
- NITDA urged stakeholders to leverage AI, innovation, and digital skills development as critical tools for accelerating Nigeria’s transition to a globally competitive digital economy.
- The Agency showcased key initiatives, including DL4ALL, NCAIR, and ONDI programmes, while reaffirming its commitment to partnerships that promote digital inclusion.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called on stakeholders across government, industry, academia, and the innovation ecosystem to intensify collaboration in harnessing innovation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and digital technologies as drivers of Nigeria’s economic transformation.
The call was made at the Port Harcourt Tech Expo 2026, held at the EUI Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where NITDA played a prominent role in discussions focused on technology-driven growth and innovation.
Delivering the opening keynote address on behalf of the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NITDA, Dr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Agency’s Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Dr Aristotle Onumo, stressed that Nigeria’s future prosperity would depend more on its ability to develop digital talent, foster innovation, and leverage emerging technologies than on its natural resources.
Inuwa noted at the two-day event themed “Syntropy: Collective Futures – Systems, Solutions, Synergy and Societies” that the global digital economy presents significant opportunities for Nigeria and the African continent to create jobs, attract investments, and enhance productivity through technologies such as AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, data analytics, and digital platforms.
He maintained that the country must position itself to take advantage of these opportunities through strategic investments in human capital and innovation ecosystems.
“The future is not something we inherit; it is something we build. Nigeria’s greatest resource is not oil but its people. Our ability to develop digital talent, foster innovation, and create enabling ecosystems will determine our competitiveness in the digital age,” he stated.
He further highlighted NITDA’s implementation of its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), which prioritises digital literacy, emerging technologies, innovation, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and inclusive economic growth.
According to him, AI and other digital technologies are rapidly reshaping industries worldwide, making it imperative for stakeholders to embrace innovation as a catalyst for economic diversification and sustainable development.
The Expo attracted policymakers, technology leaders, startup founders, investors, academics, development partners, and young innovators who explored issues relating to AI, startup development, innovation financing, entrepreneurship, digital skills, technology adoption, and ecosystem growth.
Deliberations also focused on strategies to position the Niger Delta as a leading hub for technology, innovation, and digital entrepreneurship, while addressing challenges such as infrastructure deficits, startup financing, technology commercialisation, and skills development.
As part of its participation, NITDA engaged with technology companies, startups, innovation hubs, academic institutions, and development partners on potential areas of collaboration to advance digital inclusion and innovation-led development.
The Agency also showcased several flagship initiatives, including the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) programme, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), and programmes under the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI).
Participants and observers commended NITDA’s leadership in advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, citing the growing impact of its interventions in promoting digital literacy, supporting startups, and strengthening the nation’s innovation ecosystem.
The event concluded with stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to deeper collaboration and increased support for initiatives that will empower young Nigerians and expand participation in the digital economy.
NITDA, in turn, reiterated its resolve to foster partnerships, develop talent, enable innovation, and drive the creation of a technology-powered economy that delivers sustainable prosperity for all Nigerians.
