The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has clarified that Nigeria’s digital strategy is focused on protecting national interests and achieving long-term technological independence, rather than aligning with global geopolitical rivalries.
Inuwa made this known during an engagement with the management of Ericsson at the GITEX Africa in Morocco, where discussions centred on strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
He explained that the country is prioritising the development of its own digital infrastructure, supported by high-standard regulatory policies aimed at building local capacity for software integration and innovation.
According to him, Nigeria’s approach is not driven by politics or attempts to exclude any global power, but by the need to maintain control over its digital future and actively shape its technological direction.
Inuwa emphasised that Nigeria remains open to global technology partners, including hyperscalers, but insists on collaborations that promote local value creation, partnerships with domestic firms, and retention of economic benefits within the country.
Drawing comparisons with global trends, he pointed to frameworks such as the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, Digital Services Act, and Data Governance Act as examples of how regions are asserting digital sovereignty through structured policy environments.
He noted that Nigeria has already designated digital infrastructure as critical national infrastructure through existing executive orders, adding that building a fully sovereign digital ecosystem is a gradual process requiring sustained commitment.
The NITDA boss also warned against repeating past industrial patterns where Africa contributed resources without reaping full benefits, stressing that the current digital revolution presents an opportunity for value creation and homegrown innovation.
