The National
Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called for substantial
investment in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector to grow the
nation's economy and deepen digital inclusion.
Its Director-General,
Kashifu Inuwa made this call during a meeting with Ms. Edosio Uyoyo and Traore
Toho Syevie, a delegation from the African Development Bank (AfDB) at the
Agency's corporate headquarters in Abuja.
The delegation
briefed Inuwa on various initiatives being implemented by the Bank, prompting a
discussion on the role of ICT in a country's development.
Inuwa emphasised that
ICT is instrumental in creating opportunities, enhancing service delivery,
fostering job creation, improving security, and revolutionising conventional
approaches.
Speaking on NITDA's
commitment to this cause, Inuwa shared plans to construct additional Digital
Public Infrastructure (DPI) and develop tailored modalities to meet the
nation's requirements, ensuring swift and accessible digital services for
citizens nationwide.
Providing insights
into NITDA's strategic direction, Inuwa mentioned the agency's Strategic
Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2024-2027) 2.0, structured around eight pillars
which include Fostering Digital Literacy and Cultivating Talents, Building a
Robust Technology Research Ecosystem, Strengthening Policy Implementation and
Legal Frameworks, Promoting Inclusive Access to Digital Infrastructure and Services,
Enhancing Cybersecurity and Digital Trust, Nurturing an Innovative and
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, Forging Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations,
and Cultivating a Vibrant Organisational Culture with an Agile Workforce.
He added that the
Agency’s Strategic Roadmap is in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
administration's redefined priorities to Accelerate Diversification through
Industrialisation, Digitisation, and Innovation.
Speaking earlier, Ms.
Edosio Uyoyo, the Principal ICT and Innovation Expert from the African
Development Bank, lauded NITDA's initiatives and programs across the country,
acknowledging their transformative impact on operational efficiency and service
delivery.
She disclosed that
the Bank has a framework in place, covering the period from 2020 to 2024, and
expressed the need for completion reports to guide future initiatives from 2025
to 2029.
“We are here for the
completion reports to guide us towards planning for the next initiative of a
four-year plan from 2025-2029. We want to know and understand key areas you are
focusing on and we need the bank to prioritise support in order to meet up with
ambitious targets at the end of the project time frame,” she said.
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