By Iroyin Yoruba Television
The National Information Technology Development Agency has renewed the Federal Government’s emphasis on local digital infrastructure, technology skills and innovation as Nigeria seeks to expand its digital economy and build greater capacity to develop technology solutions within the country.
The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, made the position known during GITEX Nigeria 2026 in Lagos, where technology leaders, government representatives, investors, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders gathered to discuss Nigeria’s position in the rapidly changing global technology economy.
Inuwa said digital transformation had become central to economic development and that technology would play an important role in Nigeria’s ambition to build a much larger economy.
His comments placed particular emphasis on the need for Nigeria not merely to consume technology developed elsewhere but to increase its ability to create, own and deploy technology capable of solving domestic and international problems.
The discussion comes as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, digital public infrastructure, broadband networks and other emerging technologies continue to change how businesses and governments operate.
For Nigeria, the transformation presents both opportunities and challenges.
The country has a large young population, a growing technology ecosystem and a significant number of startups and digital businesses. However, entrepreneurs require reliable infrastructure, access to capital, skilled workers and markets if those businesses are to expand.
Inuwa said the government was pursuing a private-sector-driven and government-enabled approach to digital transformation.
Under such an approach, government provides policies, infrastructure and an enabling environment while private companies, entrepreneurs and investors develop products and services.
The NITDA chief argued that technology should no longer be regarded as a separate sector of the economy.
Instead, digital technology is increasingly becoming an underlying component of almost every major area of economic activity.
Financial services, agriculture, healthcare, education, transportation, manufacturing and public administration all increasingly depend on digital systems.
This means that improvements in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure can have effects across the wider economy.
One of the issues highlighted during the GITEX discussions was digital sovereignty.
Digital sovereignty involves a country's ability to control and develop critical digital capabilities, infrastructure, data and technology rather than depending entirely on external providers.
For Nigeria, the issue has become increasingly important as more government agencies, businesses and individuals rely on cloud services, digital platforms, artificial intelligence systems and data-driven applications.
Inuwa said Nigeria was pursuing policies around data sovereignty, cloud sovereignty, operational sovereignty and AI sovereignty.
The objective is not necessarily to isolate Nigeria from international technology companies.
Rather, the government wants the country to have sufficient domestic capability to participate actively in the development and ownership of technology.
That approach could create opportunities for Nigerian technology companies if supported by appropriate infrastructure and investment.
It could also reduce some of the risks associated with excessive dependence on external technology systems.
At the same time, building local capability requires significant investment.
Data centres require electricity, connectivity and capital.
Artificial intelligence systems require computing capacity and skilled personnel.
Digital public infrastructure requires secure networks, software, maintenance and trained workers.
Startups need access to customers and investment.
The development of a stronger digital economy therefore involves more than encouraging people to use technology.
It requires an ecosystem capable of supporting technology from development through deployment and commercialisation.
Inuwa identified infrastructure and skills as important foundations of this ecosystem.
Broadband expansion remains particularly important.
Businesses and individuals cannot fully benefit from digital services where internet connectivity is unreliable, expensive or unavailable.
The same applies to digital government services.
A government portal may be technically sophisticated, but its usefulness can be limited if citizens cannot access it easily or affordably.
Nigeria therefore needs continued investment in fibre networks, mobile infrastructure, data centres and related systems.
The issue of electricity is equally important.
Technology infrastructure consumes significant amounts of power, particularly data centres and other computing facilities.
Unreliable electricity can increase operating costs for technology companies and reduce the competitiveness of digital infrastructure projects.
The recent Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum also highlighted the need for long-term financing and improved power supply to accelerate digital connectivity investment.
The discussions at GITEX therefore form part of a broader national conversation about the infrastructure needed to support Nigeria's digital economy.
Another major focus is human capital.
Technology infrastructure alone cannot create a strong digital economy if the country lacks people capable of designing, operating and maintaining digital systems.
Nigeria has a large technology talent pool, but demand for skilled workers is growing rapidly.
Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software engineering, cloud computing, data science, robotics and other fields require specialised knowledge.
The government has therefore continued to promote digital-skills programmes intended to increase the number of Nigerians able to participate in the technology economy.
Inuwa said digital transformation should create opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs across multiple sectors.
He pointed specifically to health technology, agricultural technology and education technology as areas where startups can identify problems and develop new solutions.
This represents a shift from concentrating innovation largely around financial technology.
Nigeria's fintech industry has become one of the country's most visible technology success stories.
Digital payments, mobile banking and other financial technology services have changed the way many Nigerians conduct transactions.
The success of the sector demonstrates how policy, infrastructure, entrepreneurship and consumer demand can combine to create a large technology ecosystem.
The government now wants similar innovation to emerge in other areas.
Healthcare is one potential field.
Digital health platforms can support patient records, appointment systems, medical consultations, diagnostics and other services.
The establishment of a National Health Technology Office has been cited as part of efforts to accelerate the digitalisation of healthcare.
For technology entrepreneurs, such developments could create opportunities to build products addressing problems within Nigeria's healthcare system.
Agriculture presents another major opportunity.
Farmers and agricultural businesses can use technology for weather information, market access, farm management, financial services, logistics, irrigation and other activities.
Nigeria's large agricultural sector means that even relatively simple digital solutions could potentially serve millions of users if they are designed around local needs.
Education is another area where digital technology could have a significant effect.
Online learning platforms, digital classrooms, educational software and artificial intelligence tools can expand access to learning materials and provide new methods of teaching and assessment.
However, digital education also depends on internet access, electricity, affordable devices and teacher training.
This again demonstrates why digital transformation cannot be separated from broader infrastructure and human-capital policies.
Artificial intelligence is at the centre of many of the discussions taking place at GITEX Nigeria.
AI has moved rapidly from a specialised technology into a general-purpose tool being adopted across multiple industries.
Businesses are using AI for customer service, software development, marketing, data analysis and other functions.
Governments are examining how AI can support public services.
Healthcare organisations are exploring AI-assisted diagnostics and administrative systems.
Farmers and agricultural businesses can use AI and data to improve decision-making.
The rapid development of AI also creates challenges.
Nigeria needs skilled professionals who understand how AI systems work, how to deploy them responsibly and how to evaluate their results.
There are also concerns involving data protection, cybersecurity, misinformation, intellectual property and the potential misuse of automated systems.
This makes AI governance an important part of the country's digital transformation agenda.
Nigeria's AI strategy has increasingly focused on moving from policy development towards implementation.
The government has also emphasised the need to ensure that Nigerians become creators and developers of technology rather than remaining only consumers.
That objective requires investment in research, education, computing infrastructure and entrepreneurship.
It also requires collaboration between government, universities, technology companies and investors.
Research institutions can generate new ideas and technologies, while startups can commercialise them.
Large companies can provide markets, infrastructure and investment.
Government can support the ecosystem through policy, procurement and targeted programmes.
Events such as GITEX provide an opportunity for these groups to meet.
They also allow Nigerian startups to present their products to international investors and technology companies.
Access to international markets is particularly important for startups that want to scale beyond Nigeria.
The domestic market is large, but successful technology companies can potentially serve customers across Africa and other parts of the world.
To achieve that, however, companies need reliable infrastructure, strong products, appropriate regulation and access to investment.
International partnerships can help provide some of those resources.
At GITEX, NITDA encouraged global technology companies, investors and ecosystem partners to collaborate with Nigerian innovators.
The government sees international engagement as a way to bring capital, expertise and market connections into the Nigerian technology ecosystem.
At the same time, Nigeria wants local companies to retain the ability to develop and own intellectual property.
That balance between international partnership and domestic capability is central to the concept of digital sovereignty.
Nigeria does not have to choose between international cooperation and local development.
Instead, the country can seek partnerships that help Nigerian companies acquire skills, access markets and develop their own capabilities.
The technology ecosystem also needs stronger links between innovation and commercial success.
Producing an innovative idea does not automatically create a successful company.
Startups need customers, financing, skilled employees and a supportive regulatory environment.
NITDA has therefore highlighted programmes and reforms intended to support the technology sector.
These include implementation of the Startup Act, improvements in technology procurement, software quality assurance standards and digital public infrastructure initiatives.
The objective is to create an environment where technology companies can develop solutions and compete.
Public procurement can be particularly important.
Government is one of the largest potential technology customers in Nigeria.
If government agencies procure reliable local technology solutions, they can provide startups with early customers and help companies demonstrate their products.
At the same time, procurement systems must maintain appropriate standards so that public institutions receive secure, reliable and effective technology.
The issue of software quality is therefore important.
As government services increasingly move online, failures in software can affect millions of citizens.
An unreliable government portal can prevent people from accessing services.
A security vulnerability can expose sensitive information.
A poorly designed digital system can increase rather than reduce administrative burdens.
Improving software quality is therefore part of building trust in digital government.
Cybersecurity is another essential component.
As more economic activity moves online, criminals have greater opportunities to attack digital systems.
Banks, telecommunications companies, government agencies, hospitals and businesses all face cyber threats.
Nigeria will need cybersecurity professionals and institutions capable of identifying and responding to those threats.
The growth of artificial intelligence adds another layer of complexity because the same technologies that can improve cybersecurity can also potentially be used by attackers.
Developing responsible and secure digital systems will therefore require continuous investment.
The broader economic implications of Nigeria's technology strategy are significant.
A stronger technology sector can create employment for young people, generate export revenue and improve productivity in traditional industries.
Digital services can also help small businesses reach customers beyond their immediate locations.
For consumers, technology can make financial services, education, healthcare and government services more accessible.
However, the benefits will not be evenly distributed automatically.
People without reliable internet access, affordable devices or digital skills may be excluded from the digital economy.
This makes digital inclusion an important part of the transformation process.
Nigeria's digital future will therefore depend not only on building advanced technology but also on ensuring that ordinary citizens can use it.
The challenge for policymakers is to connect high-level innovation with everyday economic activity.
GITEX Nigeria provides a platform for discussing these issues, but implementation will determine their long-term impact.
The technology sector will need sustained investment rather than isolated announcements.
Infrastructure projects must be completed and maintained.
Skills programmes must produce workers with relevant capabilities.
Startups must gain access to markets and financing.
Regulations must provide clarity without unnecessarily restricting innovation.
Government agencies must coordinate their digital programmes.
If these elements work together, Nigeria could strengthen its position as one of Africa's leading technology markets.
The country's large population, entrepreneurial culture and growing digital adoption provide a substantial foundation.
But infrastructure and skills will determine how effectively those advantages can be converted into sustainable economic value.
The message from NITDA at GITEX Nigeria is therefore centred on building rather than merely consuming technology.
Nigeria wants to develop the capacity to create digital products, own intellectual property, train skilled workers and provide infrastructure capable of supporting a modern economy.
Artificial intelligence is likely to accelerate that transformation, but it will also increase the importance of computing capacity, data governance, cybersecurity and technical skills.
The government, private sector, investors and technology professionals will all have roles to play.
As GITEX Nigeria continues, the discussions in Lagos are placing Nigeria's digital ambitions within a wider international technology conversation.
For Nigerian startups and technology professionals, the event provides opportunities to connect with investors, partners and customers.
For government, it provides a platform to communicate policy priorities and attract investment.
For the wider economy, the central question is whether technology can be transformed from a rapidly growing sector into a broader engine of productivity, employment and innovation.
NITDA's position is that Nigeria must become an active participant in that transformation.
The focus on local infrastructure, digital skills, artificial intelligence, innovation and digital sovereignty reflects an effort to build the foundations required for that participation.
The next stage will be implementation.
If investment in infrastructure is matched by investment in people, and if innovation is connected to markets and commercial opportunities, Nigeria's technology ecosystem could continue expanding into sectors far beyond financial technology.
The developments being discussed at GITEX Nigeria therefore point toward a technology strategy built around local capability, international partnerships and wider economic application.
For Nigeria's digital economy, the challenge is no longer simply whether technology will transform the country.
It is how effectively Nigeria can build the infrastructure, skills, institutions and businesses required to shape that transformation itself.