NITDA Pushes Digital Innovation Drive, Seeks Stronger Partnerships for Economic Growth

Dr. Aristotle Onumo
NITDA's Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnerships

..... Urges stakeholders to convert technological innovations into practical solutions capable of boosting governance, creating jobs and enhancing national competitiveness.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called for stronger collaboration among government, academia, industry and technology professionals to harness emerging technologies for inclusive economic growth and accelerate Nigeria's digital transformation.

The agency made the call at the 20th Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) International Conference 2026 in Jos, Plateau State, where it urged stakeholders to convert technological innovations into practical solutions capable of boosting governance, creating jobs and enhancing national competitiveness.

Representing NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, the Agency's Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnerships, Dr. Aristotle Onumo, said Nigeria's digital future depends on sustained investments in innovation, digital skills, research and strategic partnerships with measurable socio-economic impact.

He said NITDA remains committed to implementing its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan through initiatives promoting digital literacy, research and development, emerging technologies, cyber sovereignty and innovation-driven ecosystems.

Onumo added that the agency is expanding opportunities for innovators, entrepreneurs and startups through platforms that encourage collaboration and investment, noting that the Digital Nigeria initiative is being repositioned as the country's premier innovation platform connecting policymakers, investors, researchers, startups and technology companies.

He also urged innovators and startup founders to leverage the forthcoming Builders Summit to showcase homegrown technological solutions addressing Nigeria's development challenges.

Declaring the conference open, Caleb Mutfwang described digital technology as a critical driver of modern governance and economic development, saying his administration has deployed digital solutions to improve public service delivery, boost internally generated revenue and modernise government operations.

The governor stressed that technology would be instrumental in transforming agriculture, improving productivity and strengthening food security, urging participants to ensure the conference produces practical outcomes for national development.

Earlier, President of the Nigeria Computer Society, Prof. Muhammad Sirajo, said the conference was convened to deepen collaboration among policymakers, researchers, regulators and industry leaders on strategies for deploying emerging technologies to drive national development.

Speaking on the theme, Harnessing Digital Innovation and Emerging Technologies for Inclusive Growth and Economic Renaissance (RISE 2026), he identified artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, cybersecurity and robotics as key technologies that will shape Nigeria's future competitiveness, urging sustained investment in digital infrastructure, innovation and skills development.

The conference attracted government officials, regulators, academics, development partners and private-sector leaders to chart pathways for accelerating Nigeria's digital economy and inclusive growth.