The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called for stronger collaboration between academia, industry, and government. This was the central message delivered by NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, during a high-profile visit by a delegation from Lancaster University, United Kingdom, led by Professor Kirk Semple, Director of International Research.
The meeting, held at NITDA’s headquarters in Abuja, explored collaborative opportunities under the Research and Innovation Partnership for Entrepreneurship (RIPE) initiative—an effort designed to bridge the gap between research and enterprise in order to stimulate economic growth and sustainable development.
Inuwa highlighted a significant gap in research investment as a major obstacle to Africa’s development, stressing that a knowledge-based economy cannot be built without adequate funding for research and development (R&D). “To grow sustainably and competitively, Nigeria must prioritize research. Unfortunately, this is where we are lagging, both nationally and across the continent,” he said.
Using agriculture as a case study, Inuwa lamented that most farmers in Nigeria still operate without access to critical data or digital technologies that could significantly enhance productivity. He argued that sector-specific challenges can only be effectively addressed through targeted research and innovation.
The NITDA boss outlined the agency’s strategic interest in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, robotics, drones, and 3D printing, noting that these tools can revolutionize service delivery, improve livelihoods, and generate employment—especially for Nigeria’s youth.
“Our goal is to create an ecosystem where universities, entrepreneurs, startups, government institutions, and investors work hand in hand to develop solutions tailored to local needs,” he explained.
He also emphasized the importance of aligning university curricula with industry demands, encouraging academic institutions to focus on practical, problem-solving skills that meet the needs of the 21st-century workforce. “We can no longer afford to operate in silos. Collaboration is the future. Duplication of efforts only wastes time and resources,” Inuwa warned.
Aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Inuwa reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to national development goals, including inclusive economic reform, national security, agricultural transformation, energy accessibility, improved infrastructure, health and education, industrial innovation, and better governance.
To further these objectives, he outlined the agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2.0 (2024–2027), which is anchored on eight pillars:
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Fostering digital literacy and talent development
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Strengthening the national technology research ecosystem
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Enhancing legal frameworks and policy implementation
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Expanding access to digital infrastructure and services
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Building digital trust and cybersecurity resilience
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Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship
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Forging strategic partnerships and collaborations
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Cultivating a modern, agile, and responsive organizational culture within NITDA
Professor Kirk Semple, in his remarks, praised the strategic alignment between NITDA and Lancaster University, emphasizing the importance of leveraging academic research for practical impact. He said the RIPE programme was designed to ensure research does not end in academic journals but contributes directly to economic and social transformation.
“Universities today must go beyond knowledge creation. We must demonstrate real-world impact, and partnerships like this with NITDA ensure that academic research translates into solutions that matter,” Semple said.
He emphasized that innovation should serve as a bridge between universities and society, providing vital support to organizations—particularly those lacking in-house R&D capacity—working on issues such as climate change, public health, and digital inequality.
Concluding, Professor Semple underscored the value of long-term, cross-sector networks, stating that sustainable, meaningful impact—not accolades—should be the ultimate goal of such partnerships.
The visit signals a deepening of NITDA’s international collaboration agenda and underscores its determination to drive inclusive growth and digital innovation through research-led solutions.
