NITDA Strengthens Collaboration With NIPSS To Advance Nigeria’s Digital And Orange Economy
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reinforced its commitment to Nigeria’s digital transformation through strengthened collaboration with key strategic institutions, hosting Professor Ayo Omotayo, Director General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), alongside participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 48, 2026.
Building on an earlier strategic study tour, the visit provided a platform for in-depth discussions on the role of digital innovation in driving sustainable economic growth, with particular focus on the Orange Economy.
Representing NITDA’s Director General, Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, highlighted the agency’s commitment to fostering a vibrant digital ecosystem through inclusive policies, strategic partnerships, and capacity-building initiatives.
“NITDA is committed to creating an enabling environment where innovation can thrive by bringing together government, private sector, academia, and creatives to drive Nigeria’s digital economy,” he stated.
Director General Kashifu Inuwa underscored the growing importance of the Orange Economy, describing it as a key driver of innovation and economic value through intellectual property. He identified sectors such as digital content creation, film, animation, and digital art as significant contributors to national development.
“The Orange Economy represents a powerful opportunity to transform our rich cultural heritage and creativity into sustainable economic growth. With our youthful population and rich cultural assets, Nigeria is well-positioned to become a global leader in the Orange Economy if we deepen collaboration and investment across the ecosystem”, said Inuwa.
During the engagement, NITDA presented its strategic initiatives supporting the digital and creative sectors, including digital infrastructure development, promotion of digital literacy, and policies that enable startups and innovators to scale.
Inuwa also addressed challenges such as limited access to funding, infrastructure gaps, weak intellectual property protection, and ecosystem fragmentation, stressing the need for coordinated action.
“Addressing funding gaps, infrastructure deficits, and intellectual property protection is critical to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s creative economy,” he said.
The agency reiterated its target of achieving 70% digital literacy by 2027, noting ongoing programs equipping millions of Nigerians with essential digital skills, including underserved and informal sectors.
Professor Omotayo described the visit as a key opportunity to understand how digital technologies are reshaping economic sectors, particularly the creative industry, and noted that insights gathered would contribute to policy recommendations aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s economic framework.
Participants of the SEC 48 program engaged actively, raising questions on capacity development, access to digital tools, and frameworks for protecting digital content. NITDA highlighted ongoing collaborations with industry stakeholders to provide training, innovation hubs, and access to digital tools for young Nigerians.
The engagement concluded with a renewed commitment from both NITDA and NIPSS to strengthen collaboration in research, policy development, and capacity building, positioning Nigeria as a globally competitive force in the digital and creative economy.
