NITDA advocates joint action to drive Nigeria’s digital innovation
Omeiza Bilal
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has underscored the importance of collaboration between government institutions and emerging startups as a catalyst for Nigeria’s digital transformation and national development.
Speaking at the Nigerian Satellite Week 2026 in Abuja, themed “Harnessing Space Technology for an Extraordinary Nigeria,” Inuwa urged stakeholders to embrace partnerships as a pathway to innovation and impact.
“Take a good step, and you can make a difference,” he said, emphasizing the need to translate ideas into tangible outcomes through collective effort.
The NITDA boss, represented by the Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Aristotle Onumo, during his presentation on “Enhancing collaboration between government agencies and emerging start-ups”, outlined four guiding principles for driving transformation: enabling the ecosystem rather than controlling it; prioritising networks over institutions; developing talent while supporting innovation and adopting practical solutions; and focusing on platforms rather than isolated projects.
To illustrate the power of digital innovation, Inuwa shared the story of a rural farmer whose productivity challenges ranging from unstable rents to failed loans were overcome through access to digital tools and networks. He explained that such incremental interventions can scale into broader economic gains, ultimately contributing to national infrastructure like satellite systems.
“This is the power of space technology, and it shows why events like this are so important,” he noted.
Highlighting the evolving role of space technology, Inuwa observed that startups are increasingly driving innovation across telecommunications, navigation, security, and cloud services. Once dominated by global superpowers, the sector is now emerging as a key economic driver, with Nigeria’s “Sunrise Packet” projected to contribute over $1.5 billion to the economy by 2030.
“Innovation without adoption is wasted,” he added, stressing the critical role of government in enabling start-ups to scale through supportive policies, infrastructure, and incentives.
According to him, developmental regulation should focus on creating markets, orchestrating ecosystems, and delivering public value rather than stifling innovation. He pointed to several initiatives supporting the growth of Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, including the Digital Start-Up Act, Idea Hatch, and the National Digital Leadership Programme, all designed to empower young innovators and connect them to global opportunities.
He further highlighted platforms such as GITEX Africa, GITEX Nigeria, and Digital Nigeria, which provide visibility for start-ups and attract investment, partnerships, and mentorship.
Inuwa concluded with a strong call for collaboration among government, start-ups, non-governmental organisations, and investors, describing Nigeria’s youth as the country’s greatest asset.
“If we are going to create a digital Nigeria, we must collaborate,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Tijani, described Nigeria’s satellite infrastructure as central to the nation’s digital future.
“Nigeria is the only West African country with its own satellite. NigComSat provides critical connectivity and resilience, benefiting not just Nigeria but the entire region,” he said.
Tijani disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the acquisition of NigComSat-2A and NigComSat-2B, a move expected to significantly enhance the country’s space capabilities.
He stressed, however, that infrastructure alone is not sufficient.
“What truly matters is how we leverage this technology to improve agriculture, education, security, and business operations,” he said.
The Minister also highlighted key government investments, including a ₦12 billion digital economy research cluster fund under Project Bridge, which will support academics and researchers nationwide. He added that Nigeria is expanding its digital backbone through 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables, nearly 4,000 telecom towers in underserved communities, and new satellite deployments to strengthen regional connectivity across countries such as Cameroon, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, and the Republic of Benin.
“The talent, ideas, and energy are all here in Nigeria. It is up to us to turn them into real outcomes for our people and the economy,” Tijani added.
The Nigerian Satellite Week continues to provide a strategic platform for collaboration among government, start-ups, academia, and the private sector, fostering innovation and reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership in Africa’s digital and space economy.
Welcoming participants, the Managing Director of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), Jane Nkechi Egerton-Ideyen, said Nigeria’s space programme is entering a new phase marked by deliberate and focused growth.
She pointed to strengthened institutional capacity, expanding partnerships, and clear economic gains, noting that the agency’s revenue grew from less than $650 million in 2023 to over $2 billion in 2025. She attributed this surge to key reforms, new commercial deals, and increasing demand for satellite broadband services across the African continent.
Egerton-Ideyen also disclosed that Nigeria has launched seven space assets in just over two decades, adding that the country is shifting its focus from prestige-driven initiatives to practical outcomes—enhancing connectivity, improving livelihoods, and promoting inclusive development.
She further revealed that more than 500 young Nigerians received training in satellite technology within the past year, while over 50 startups have benefited from NIGCOMSAT’s accelerator programme.
