NITDA's Kashifu Abdullahi Drives Nigeria's Digital Economy

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), under the leadership of Director General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, is actively positioning Nigeria as a competitive player in the global digital economy. This initiative was highlighted during the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) at the “Hire from Nigeria” session organized by the Nigeria Economic and Trade Advancement Programme (NATEP).

Abdullahi participated alongside Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, and Dr. Moruf Alausa, the Minister of Education, discussing impact sourcing, global trade, and inclusive job creation. He stressed the need for Nigeria to extend its competitive advantage beyond traditional outsourcing, particularly in the context of rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence.

Abdullahi referenced Project BRIDGE, which aims to deploy 90,000 kilometers of fiber infrastructure, and emphasized the importance of data protection and cybersecurity frameworks. He also mentioned initiatives like the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) to develop indigenous AI capabilities, aiming to equip Nigerian talent for higher-value global services.