Kashifu Inuwa: Championing Nigeria’s digital renaissance

BY MUBARAK UMAR

In the rapidly evolving global digital landscape, nations must constantly adapt, innovate, and secure their technological ecosystems. Nigeria’s IT ecosystem, under the stewardship of the Chief Information Technology Officer and Director General Kashifu Inuwa of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), is emerging as a beacon of digital transformation. Through strategic international and local stakeholder engagements, Inuwa is steering Nigeria’s digital sector toward unprecedented growth, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Recently, Inuwa’s international engagements reflect his commitment to positioning Nigeria as a global digital leader. During GITEX Global 2024, one of the world’s premier technology events, he delivered a keynote address on “Securing Africa’s Digital Future: Nigeria’s Cybersecurity Roadmap.” In this address, he meticulously outlined Nigeria’s cybersecurity framework, a cornerstone of the nation’s ambition to foster a secure and resilient digital ecosystem.

Emphasising the critical role of digital innovation in economic diversification, Inuwa mapped out five foundational pillars: digital fluency, cybersecurity skills, robust policy frameworks, technological innovation, and cybersecurity innovation roadmaps. He left no stone unturned in highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to closing the cybersecurity skills gap, securing data systems, and developing a national cybersecurity architecture aligned with global standards.

In addition to cybersecurity, Inuwa has shown a remarkable capacity to engage with international stakeholders, fostering collaborations that promise to boost Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. His meetings with executives of the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) at GITEX 2024 exemplify this.

He engaged (DWTC) towards organising GITEX Nigeria 2025 to chart ways for inclusive stakeholder participation in the event, positioning Nigeria as a prime destination for global investors. He rightly argued that Africa’s largest economy, brimming with a vibrant youth population and a burgeoning tech startup scene, is ripe for value-driven investments.

In line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector through innovation, Inuwa has spearheaded collaborative efforts between NITDA and the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF). This strategic partnership aims to harness cutting-edge technology to address the myriad challenges plaguing the agricultural sector, from resource optimisation to improving productivity.

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two entities marks a watershed moment in Nigeria’s quest for food security. The goal is to integrate technology into agriculture, drive innovation, and ultimately enhance national food security efforts of the present administration.

Inuwa’s local engagements are equally impressive. His keynote address at the Nigeria Govtech Conference and Awards touched the role of digital innovation in fostering economic growth and empowering citizens. He emphasised the importance of a comprehensive agenda focused on human capital development, digital literacy, and skills training, particularly in both formal and informal sectors. This vision aligns seamlessly with President Tinubu’s commitment to leveraging technology to build strong institutions that enhance governance and improve the quality of life for Nigerians.

On a broader continental stage, Inuwa’s participation in the 3^rd Moonshot Annual Tech Conference in Lagos, alongside tech leaders from across Africa, further solidified his status as a digital economy visionary.

In his panel discussion on “Building Digital Economies for the World,” Inuwa articulated the need for governments to collaborate with the tech ecosystem in developing robust regulations that support cross-border data exchange within the continent.

He advocated for building Digital Public Infrastructures (DPI) to unlock the full potential of Africa’s digital economy, positioning Nigeria as a leader in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Inuwa’s leadership in promoting Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) was also front and center at the 17th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV 2024) in Pretoria, South Africa.

Representing the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Inuwa reiterated the need for scalable, inclusive, and secure DPI that builds trust between governments and citizens. He also introduced the African DPI Community, a platform for collaboration aimed at accelerating digital transformation across the continent.

His efforts in advocating for digital identity systems, payment platforms, and data exchange infrastructures have placed Nigeria at the forefront of DPI innovation in Africa.

Additionally, Inuwa’s active role in the global DPI discourse was further demonstrated by his participation in the United Nations General Assembly, where he contributed to the launch of the Universal DPI Safeguards Framework.

This initiative sets new standards for the design and implementation of digital infrastructures, prioritising public interest and promoting safe, inclusive, and interoperable systems.

Inuwa’s insights on Nigeria’s journey toward building a resilient DPI showcased the country’s commitment to harnessing technology for sustainable development, reinforcing the Federal Government’s dedication to supporting research and technological innovation.

In every sphere of his engagement, both local and international, Inuwa’s efforts are emblematic of a leader committed to digital transformation. His work is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda; and it is shaping the very future of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, ensuring that Nigeria’s digital future is both secure and prosperous, setting the stage for the nation to lead in the global digital economy.