The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to becoming a key player in shaping the global artificial intelligence (AI) landscape.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ interactive engagement with the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance at the State House, Abuja, themed “Technology, Migration & Trade Representation,” Inuwa outlined Nigeria’s strategic roadmap for emerging technologies.
He noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is prioritising economic diversification and inclusivity, with a focus on accelerating industrialisation, digitalisation, creative industries, manufacturing, and innovation.
According to Inuwa, the centrepiece of this vision is Nigeria’s National AI Strategy, which sets a clear pathway for technological advancement. The plan includes expanding connectivity, developing sovereign cloud platforms, and building clean, representative national datasets.
He further stressed the importance of strengthening Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem by empowering startups and innovators through the Nigerian Startup Act, which provides a robust legal and institutional framework for growth.
Innovation does not happen in isolation. You need an ecosystem that connects government, innovators, investors, and global partners,” he stated.
On sectoral transformation, the NITDA boss revealed that AI is already being integrated into key industries such as healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and education to significantly boost productivity.
AI will not replace humans; rather, it will enhance human endeavour,” he said. “With AI, we can achieve ten times the productivity we are seeing today. Imagine our doctors diagnosing faster, our farmers predicting yields better, and our manufacturers reducing inefficiencies — that’s the kind of leap Nigeria is preparing for.”
Inuwa emphasised that inclusivity remains central to Nigeria’s AI agenda.
If you are digitally invisible, AI will not consider you in its decision-making. That’s why inclusivity is not optional — it is essential,” he asserted.
He concluded that Nigeria’s AI journey is not merely about adopting technology, but about empowering people, driving prosperity, and positioning the nation as a global leader in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.