The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has emphasised the vital need for strong cooperation between government, business, and academia in a renewed effort to harness innovation for sustainable national growth and youth empowerment. This request was made while a group from Lancaster University in the United Kingdom, led by Professor Kirk Semple, Director of International Research, was in Abuja for a working visit to NITDA’s corporate headquarters.
Exploring opportunities for strategic cooperation under the Research and Innovation Partnership for Entrepreneurship (RIPE) program—an endeavour to use academic research and innovation to promote entrepreneurial growth and economic transformation—was the main focus of the visit.
Inuwa told the group that the continent’s efforts to develop knowledge-based economies are still hampered by a massive research funding gap that affects both Nigeria and Africa as a whole. We must make research investments if we are to create a strong and sustainable economy. Nigeria and Africa as a whole have a significant gap in that area because we don’t fund research,” he stated.
As an example, Inuwa noted that many Nigerian farmers do not have access to digital tools and vital data that could transform resource efficiency and productivity. He emphasised the importance of research and development (R&D) in addressing sector-specific issues and creating laws and policies that might hasten the digital transformation process.
In addition, Inuwa described NITDA’s emphasis on cutting-edge technologies like blockchain, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and additive manufacturing, pointing out that these technologies have enormous potential to address regional issues and generate new business opportunities.
“The goal is to create a vibrant technology-research ecosystem that unites academia, industry, government, entrepreneurs, and risk capital,” he stated.
He stressed the necessity of matching academic programs to the needs of the actual world of business and urged universities to cultivate students who can use innovation to solve real-world problems. Along with urging improved stakeholder collaboration, Inuwa cautioned against the inefficiencies of redundant work.
The eight strategic pillars that the Federal Government has designated as catalysts for national growth were also mentioned by Inuwa. Enhancing infrastructure and transportation, focussing on education, health, and social investment, accelerating diversification through industrialisation and innovation, improving governance and service delivery, boosting agriculture to achieve food security, unlocking energy and natural resources, improving national security for peace and prosperity, and reforming the economy for inclusive and sustainable growth are some of these.
NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0 (SRAP 2024–2027), which is organised around eight complimentary pillars, was also emphasised by Inuwa as a means of advancing these aims. Among these are the following: fostering digital literacy and developing talent; creating a strong ecosystem for technology research; strengthening the legal framework and policy implementation; encouraging inclusive access to digital infrastructure and services; enhancing cybersecurity and digital trust; fostering an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem; forming strategic partnerships and collaborations; and cultivating a dynamic organisational culture and an agile workforce at NITDA.
“We place a strong emphasis on research because without it, you can not develop effective policies or regulations that drive real change in the ecosystem,” Inuwa added.
According to DG, the meeting was a major step forward in NITDA’s dedication to international cooperation, in line with the larger goals of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and setting up Nigeria to lead the world’s digital economy through innovation driven by research.
In line with the larger goals of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the meeting represented a major advancement in NITDA’s dedication to international cooperation and positioned Nigeria to lead the world’s digital economy through research-led innovation, according to DG.
Earlier in his speech, Professor Kirk Semple emphasised Lancaster University’s reputation for research around the world and its dedication to strategic partnerships that benefit society. He explained that the (RIPE) program is a means of mobilising information that goes beyond theoretical academics to real-world applications.
“Universities today are under pressure to demonstrate value beyond knowledge creation. Strategic partnerships like this with NITDA help ensure research-informed policy, support innovation, and drive meaningful change in communities,” Semple said.
The importance of innovation in bridging the gap between academia and society was also emphasised by him. He pointed out that universities are vital hubs for organisations, particularly those without R&D capabilities, to access the knowledge and resources needed to address global issues like public health, climate change, and technological inequality.
Professor Semple emphasised that lasting effect, not awards, is the real indicator of success and reaffirmed the significance of building broad, long-term networks that promote collaboration across industries.
