The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has emphasised the need for inclusive digital infrastructure, affordable connectivity and sustained investment in emerging technologies to accelerate Nigeria’s economic growth.
Inuwa stated this while participating in a session titled “Inclusive Growth in the Digital Age” at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES 32), organised by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning while highlighting the importance of expanding telecommunications infrastructure to underserved and rural communities.
Reflecting on the growth of the telecommunications sector since 2000, he recalled that many investors were initially reluctant to commit resources to the industry because of doubts about Africans’ ability to afford mobile phones.
According to him, innovation must focus on democratising access, reducing costs and extending connectivity to rural communities to ensure that every citizen can participate meaningfully in the digital economy.
He noted that connectivity has become fundamental to social and economic inclusion, particularly as artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly shapes decision-making and service delivery worldwide.
“If you are not represented, if you are not digitally visible, AI will not see you or consider you when making decisions,” he said, stressing that the exclusion of communities from the digital ecosystem could also mean the underrepresentation of their cultures, values and languages in emerging technologies.
Inuwa said the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, was committed to using technology to promote inclusivity and national prosperity.
According to him, the USPF initiative is designed to extend telecommunications coverage to underserved areas through the deployment of base stations, while Project BRIDGE aims to deploy approximately 95,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure nationwide.
He said the initiatives would promote open-access infrastructure, encourage private-sector participation and make broadband services more affordable for Nigerians.
The NITDA Director General also called for a broader understanding of infrastructure development, arguing that the digital economy requires investments beyond conventional infrastructure such as roads and railways.
“Today, we are in a digital era; therefore, we need to build digital highways for our data as well,” he said.
He added that as Nigeria advances its artificial intelligence ambitions, investments in data centres, computing capacity and AI factories would be essential to ensuring that the country can harness the technology’s economic potential.
Inuwa further highlighted the relationship between connectivity, productivity and affordability, describing it as a chicken-and-egg situation.
He explained that while telecommunications operators are concerned about consumers’ ability to pay for services, improved connectivity can enhance productivity, expand business opportunities and increase incomes, thereby strengthening citizens’ capacity to afford digital services.
He stressed the need to connect underserved communities so that individuals and businesses could use technology to improve their livelihoods, access new markets and participate more effectively in economic activities.
Beyond economic benefits, Inuwa said expanded digital infrastructure would enable the government to improve public service delivery and reduce operational costs by making essential services more accessible online.
He explained that citizens interact with government institutions at different stages of their lives, from birth registration and healthcare to education, employment, business development, marriage and property ownership.
However, the traditional process often requires citizens to visit multiple government offices to access these services.
According to him, a well-developed digital infrastructure would enable citizens to access government services more conveniently, improve service delivery and reduce administrative overheads.
He maintained that bridging Nigeria’s digital divide requires coordinated action by government and the private sector, supported by sustained investment in connectivity and advanced digital infrastructure.
Inuwa reiterated that inclusive digital development remains essential to ensuring that all Nigerians can benefit from technological innovation, contribute to national productivity and participate in the country’s emerging digital economy.
