The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the policy direction and enabling environment to place technology and innovation at the centre of Nigeria’s economic transformation.
NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, made the commendation while speaking at GITEX Nigeria in Lagos, where he said technology could become a major driver of economic growth and diversification.
Inuwa said the administration had recognised the need to move beyond traditional sources of economic growth by investing in diversification, innovation and digitalisation.
He said the vision was captured in the Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on accelerating economic diversification through industrialisation, digitisation, creative arts, manufacturing and innovation.
According to him, the future economy would depend increasingly on what people can think, learn, create and solve rather than only on the physical resources available to a country.
Inuwa said the administration was integrating digital skills into formal education and implementing initiatives such as the 3 Million Technical Talent programme to equip Nigerians, particularly young people, with skills needed in a technology-driven economy.
The NITDA DG said developing skilled Nigerians must also go alongside creating an environment where their skills could translate into businesses, innovations, products and solutions to real-world challenges.
He said Nigeria’s young and talented population, large market and numerous development challenges gave the country an opportunity to become a creator and contributor in the global digital economy.
Inuwa said the policy direction of the administration provided an opportunity for Nigeria to use technology not only for digital transformation but also to increase productivity, diversify the economy, expand inclusion and achieve sustainable prosperity.
