NITDA's DG Urges Jigawa State Govt To End Depending On Federal Allocation

 "Jigawa must rethink its development strategy by identifying and maximising its comparative advantages to create a resilient and self-sustaining economy." Inuwa 

.... Recalls the pioneering role of former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, in establishing Galaxy ITT and promoting the adoption of information and communication technology, ICT, in the state.

.... Says "the failure of successive administrations to sustain the momentum had prevented the state from fully maximising the foundation laid during the early years of its ICT development drive."

Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, has challenged Jigawa State to harness technology, its youthful population and abundant natural resources to build a sustainable economy and reduce its dependence on federal allocations.

Inuwa gave the charge at the Galaxy Information Technology and Telecommunications, Galaxy ITT, Repositioning Retreat in Abuja, where he expressed concern over what he described as the continued over-reliance of many states, particularly in Northern Nigeria, on revenue from the Federation Account.

He said Jigawa must rethink its development strategy by identifying and maximising its comparative advantages to create a resilient and self-sustaining economy.

According to him, the absence of clear development plans, policy discontinuity and excessive attention to politics have remained major obstacles to sustainable development in many parts of the North.

“Development, whether at the individual, state or national level, requires clear objectives, strategic planning and measurable targets,” he said, urging Jigawa to define what it intends to achieve within the next two to three years and develop practical strategies to realise its goals.

The NITDA boss also called on Galaxy ITT to develop a clear strategic direction as part of efforts to reposition the organisation as a major driver of digital transformation and economic development in Jigawa State.

He recalled the pioneering role of former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, in establishing Galaxy ITT and promoting the adoption of information and communication technology, ICT, in the state.

Inuwa, however, said the failure of successive administrations to sustain the momentum had prevented the state from fully maximising the foundation laid during the early years of its ICT development drive.

He noted that Jigawa was among the states that embraced technology-driven development early but had lost ground as technology emerged as one of the strongest drivers of the global economy.

According to him, Galaxy ITT must leverage its experience and understanding of Nigeria's information technology landscape to play a more strategic role in driving the state's digital economy.

He stressed, however, that the company could not achieve the desired transformation in isolation, calling for stronger legal, policy and institutional frameworks to support its operations.

Inuwa also advocated closer collaboration between Galaxy ITT and the Jigawa State Information Technology and Digital Economy Agency, particularly in implementing digital policies and programmes.

Speaking on NITDA's evolution, the Director-General said the agency was established in 2001 to promote ICT adoption at a time when fewer than 500,000 Nigerians had access to computers and the sector contributed less than 0.5 per cent to the country's Gross Domestic Product, GDP.

He said the agency's mandate had since expanded beyond promoting technology adoption to developing policies, regulations and legal frameworks capable of positioning technology as a major enabler of economic activities.

According to him, the adoption of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy in 2019 marked a turning point, with technology increasingly recognised as an enabler across virtually every sector of the economy.

He said NITDA subsequently repositioned itself and developed strategic roadmaps aimed at creating markets, generating employment and promoting inclusive economic growth through technology.

The retreat was attended by former Jigawa State Governor, Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, who pioneered the state's ICT development drive through the establishment of Galaxy ITT, which later metamorphosed into Galaxy Backbone.

Turaki commended NITDA's leadership for its efforts in advancing Nigeria's digital transformation agenda.

The retreat underscored the need for strategic planning, policy continuity, institutional collaboration and sustained investment in technology as critical factors in repositioning Galaxy ITT and strengthening Jigawa State's participation in Nigeria's expanding digital economy.