The Director-General of the , , has called for to accelerate Nigeria’s emphasized and as key drivers of .

Abdullahi who spoke recently at the held in Lagos.  He was represented by NITDA’s Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, The underscored the need for to position Nigeria as a leading digital economy in Africa. He also emphasised the need for Nigeria to be a competitive player in the global tech ecosystem.

With and the , the NITDA DG noted that the country is at a critical inflection point in its quest to become a .

“Nigeria’s technology ecosystem is witnessing , driven by homegrown innovations that are attracting and revolutionizing key sectors like financial services,”

He said. “Startups like , , and have demonstrated how innovation, coupled with the right policy environment, can create new economic frontiers and jobs for millions of Nigerians.”

While fintech remains Nigeria’s most prominent tech success story, the NITDA DG highlighted that such as , , and the are increasingly driving innovation across other critical sectors, including , , , and .

He noted that are already improving service delivery in governance. are enhancing transparency in financial services and land registration systems. In agriculture, IoT devices are helping farmers optimize yields through .

However, He stressed that sustaining this momentum requires , and . Equally important are that empower innovators to scale their solutions and bridge the .

“As part of NITDA’s renewed mandate under the , we are committed to supporting , strengthening the , and enhancing to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind in this digital revolution,” he said.

Recognizing that no digital economy can thrive without , he emphasized the importance of policies like the The Act provides a structured approach to .

He also spotlighted NITDA’s  This is a dynamic model that ensures policies are driven by , , and . The framework is designed to create a that protects consumers. At the same time, it enables businesses to innovate and scale sustainably.

“Our regulatory philosophy at NITDA is anchored on ,” Abdullahi stated.

“We are creating a that fosters innovation while safeguarding consumers and ensuring ethical technology deployment.”

Additionally, the NITDA boss emphasized the need for , , and All of these are necessary to promote in line with global best practices.

Inuwa acknowledged that remains the . He cited recent public-private partnerships between the Nigerian government and global tech giants like , , and as examples of how strategic alliances are accelerating Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.

The DG specifically referenced the — an initiative aimed at transforming Nigeria into a by focusing on:

“This collaborative approach ensures that our digital policies and initiatives align with while addressing ,” he noted.

To address the , Inuwa highlighted NITDA’s ongoing in partnership with the , which aims to achieve .

He further advocated for stronger to bridge the gap between and , ensuring that the next generation of Nigerians possesses .

Abdullahi also emphasized the potential of the to position Nigeria as a regional hub for . He called for harmonized digital trade policies and strategic partnerships that would enable Nigerian businesses to access .

“With AfCFTA, Nigeria has the opportunity to become a leading exporter of across Africa,” he stated. “By harmonizing policies, investing in infrastructure, and strengthening partnerships, we can unlock new markets and attract more foreign direct investment into the digital economy.”

Concluding his remarks, Abdullahi called for bold decisions, innovative thinking, and strategic alliances to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation journey. He urged all stakeholders — government agencies, private sector players, academia, and civil society — to work together to ensure that digital transformation is not just a vision but a reality driving inclusive economic development.

“As the theme of this summit rightly states, we are truly ‘Unified by Vision and Empowered by Collaboration’,” he said. “Let us seize this moment to build a Nigeria where technology serves as an equalizer, empowering every citizen, every business, and every sector to thrive.”

With Nigeria’s digital economy on a fast-track trajectory, NITDA’s renewed focus on collaboration, innovation, and enabling policies is setting the stage for a more inclusive and competitive digital ecosystem. As the agency continues to forge strategic alliances and empower innovators, Nigeria is well-positioned to become a regional technology hub and a global player in the digital economy.

By harnessing the power of emerging technologies, strengthening public-private partnerships, and closing the digital skills gap, Nigeria’s digital transformation holds the promise of unlocking new opportunities, driving socioeconomic development, and empowering millions of Nigerians to participate fully in the digital era.