Nigeria’s technology ecosystem is experiencing unprecedented growth, attracting billions in investment and fundamentally revolutionising financial services, according to Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Speaking at The Omniverse Summit 2025 in Lagos, Inuwa, represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, emphasized that Nigeria has the potential to become a global digital powerhouse through sustained industry collaboration and adaptive policy.
Inuwa highlighted key metrics illustrating Nigeria’s digital momentum, noting that the country’s internet penetration rate exceeds 55% and the digital economy is projected to contribute over 20% to the GDP by 2030.
He pointed to homegrown fintech giants like Flutterwave, Paystack, and Moniepoint as clear examples of how Nigerian innovation is transforming financial services. Beyond fintech, he added that emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are shaping critical sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and education.
To sustain this growth, NITDA is committed to fostering innovation through investments in research and development, talent cultivation, and comprehensive startup support systems aimed at bridging the digital divide.
The DG stressed that adaptive policies are crucial for a thriving digital economy. He highlighted frameworks such as the Nigeria Startup Act, which provides a structured approach to nurturing innovation.
He also detailed NITDA’s Regulatory Intelligence Framework, which anchors its policies on dynamism, intelligence, and awareness, ensuring the regulatory environment protects consumers while enabling businesses to scale. Inuwa called for stronger data protection laws, enhanced cybersecurity frameworks, and effective AI governance strategies.
Collaboration is the ‘glue’ that binds this progress. Public-private partnerships have been vital, with recent agreements between the Federal Government and global tech giants underscoring this synergy.
- Google Partnership: Inuwa specifically cited the recent agreement with Google, noting it is set to transform Nigeria into a global tech hub. This partnership focuses on infrastructure development, citizen upskilling, AI innovation, cloud adoption, and investment framework enhancement.
- Talent Cultivation: He also referenced NITDA’s ongoing initiatives, such as the Digital Literacy for All programme in partnership with the NYSC, which aims to achieve 70% digital literacy by 2027.
Furthermore, he noted that Nigeria’s active participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents a significant opportunity to position the country as a regional hub for digital trade and services.
The DG concluded by urging all stakeholders to seize the moment: “Let us seize this moment to build a Nigeria where technology serves as an equaliser, empowering every citizen, every business, and every sector.”