By Angeline Mgbele, Bureau Chief, Northern Nigeria
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has highlighted the critical role of data in driving a sustainable digital economy, Cyber Era NG learns.
According to a press statement e-signed by the Director of Corporate Communications and External Relations at NITDA, Hajia Hadiza Umar, the agency emphasized the need for safe and responsible data utilization at the just concluded 2024 Digital Nigeria Innovation Challenge.
NITDA’s Director-General, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, who was represented by the Director of Information Technology Infrastructure Solutions Department, Oladejo Olawumi, highlighted the importance of data sovereignty in ensuring Nigeria’s digital future.
By prioritising data security and privacy, the agency aims to foster a thriving digital ecosystem that benefits both individuals and businesses.
The Digital Nigeria Innovation Challenge, organised by NITDA’s Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), showcased the talent and innovation of Nigerian tech entrepreneurs. The event further reinforced the agency’s commitment to nurturing a vibrant digital community and empowering the next generation of tech leaders.
While stating that the event aligned with the agency’s pillars of its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2.0, Mallam Abdullahi mentioned that the event underscored NITDA’s vision to position Nigeria as a leader in the global digital economy, creating opportunities for innovators to thrive in an ever-changing technological landscape.
“The issue of having something home-grown is very important because when it comes to data, you would realize that Data is the currency of the digital economy. It is what is driving us now and everything is all about data,” Abdullahi added.
Speaking of the relevance of the event which speaks to pillars; Robust Technological Research Ecosystem, Foster Digital Literacy and Cultivate Talents, Nurture an Innovative and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, and Promote Inclusive Access to Digital Infrastructure and Services of the SRAP document, the NITDA boss urged the participants to take advantage of the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA) in promoting their solutions.
“The Nigeria Startup Act enables you to get proper funding to develop what you want to do, and it allows you to meet with angel investors to see how you can be encouraged and bring what you are ideating to the limelight,” he noted.
While stating the agency’s commitment to ensuring that Indigenous digital innovation thrives, Abdullahi disclosed that “Innovation Nests” will be created by the agency in 3 states with plans to expand to 6 more by the end of year and stated that the nests are designed to inspire creativity, featuring facilities for work, leisure, and networking with investors.
“These centres will be world-class, offering spaces to relax, collaborate, and attract global investment,” he explained.
“Whether you win today or not, this platform is a step towards achieving your dreams. Nigeria has the talent, and NITDA is here to ensure that talent is nurtured and celebrated,” he concluded.
Earlier in her opening remark, the National Coordinator of the ONDI, Ms Victoria Fabunmi stated that the event was designed to spotlight groundbreaking ideas and foster collaboration in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.
While emphasising the agency’s commitment to advancing digital innovations through strategic initiatives, she averred that the innovation challenge aligned with the agency’s SRAP and fulfilling the Ministry’s blueprint pillars of Knowledge, Innovation, and Policy.
“Participants have an opportunity to showcase their ingenious ideas, as they have spent months looking through infrastructure across the country and helping us to identify areas for opportunity as well as areas for strengthening our innovation ecosystem,” she stated.
