The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to becoming a key shaper in the global artificial intelligence, AI, landscape.
In his presentation at the 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 emphasises economic diversification and inclusivity, with priority on accelerating industrialization, digitalization, creative industries, manufacturing, and innovation.
The NITDA boss explained that at the heart of this ambition is Nigeria’s National AI Strategy, which lays out a clear pathway for the country’s technological future, noting it involves expanding connectivity, developing sovereign cloud platforms, and building clean and representative national datasets.
Inuwa stressed the importance of nurturing the ecosystem by empowering startups and innovators, anchored by the Nigerian Startup Act which provides a 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 added.
On sectoral transformation, Inuwa explained that AI is being integrated into key industries such as healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and education to radically boost productivity, adding that AI will not replace humans; rather, it will enhance human endeavor.
“With AI, we can achieve ten times the productivity we are seeing today. Imagine what it means when our doctors can diagnose faster, our farmers can predict yields better, and our manufacturers can cut inefficiencies. That is the kind of leap Nigeria is preparing for.
“If you are digitally invisible, AI will not consider you in its decision-making. That is why inclusivity is not optional, it is central, he stated.
“Our journey is not just about technology, it is about people, prosperity, and positioning Nigeria as a global leader in shaping the future of artificial intelligence,” he emphasised.
