The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has strengthened its drive toward Nigeria’s digital transformation by deepening collaboration with key national institutions, as it hosted the Director General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Ayo Omotayo, alongside participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 48, 2026.
The engagement, which followed an earlier strategic study tour, created an avenue for robust discussions on leveraging digital innovation for sustainable economic growth, with a strong emphasis on the emerging Orange Economy.
Representing the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, the Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Aristotle Onumo, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to building a thriving digital ecosystem through inclusive policies, strategic partnerships, and capacity development.
“NITDA remains committed to fostering an enabling environment where innovation can flourish by connecting government, private sector, academia, and the creative industry to power Nigeria’s digital economy,” he stated.
Inuwa highlighted the growing relevance of the Orange Economy as a major driver of innovation and economic value, particularly through intellectual property. He identified sectors such as digital content creation, film, animation, and digital art as vital contributors to national development.
“The Orange Economy presents a unique opportunity to convert Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and creative talent into sustainable economic growth,” he noted.
He further emphasised Nigeria’s strategic advantage, especially its youthful and highly creative population, calling for stronger collaboration and investment across the ecosystem.
“With our vibrant youth population and cultural diversity, Nigeria is well-positioned to become a global leader in the Orange Economy if we strengthen collaboration and unlock investment opportunities,” he added.
During the session, NITDA showcased its key initiatives aimed at supporting both the digital and creative sectors, including expansion of digital infrastructure, promotion of digital literacy, and implementation of policies that enable startups and innovators to scale effectively.
Addressing existing challenges, Inuwa identified limited access to funding, infrastructure deficits, weak intellectual property protection, and ecosystem fragmentation as major barriers. He stressed the need for coordinated and strategic interventions to unlock the sector’s full potential.
“Bridging funding gaps, strengthening infrastructure, and protecting intellectual property are essential steps toward building a resilient and globally competitive creative economy,” he said.
The Agency also reiterated its ambitious target of achieving 70 percent digital literacy by 2027, noting that ongoing programmes are equipping millions of Nigerians—including those in underserved and informal sectors—with critical digital skills.
In his remarks, Ayo Omotayo described the engagement as a valuable opportunity to deepen understanding of how digital technologies are transforming economic sectors, particularly the creative industry. He noted that insights from the visit would contribute to policy recommendations aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s economic framework.
Participants of the SEC 48 programme actively engaged in discussions, raising key questions around capacity development, access to digital tools, and frameworks for protecting creative content. In response, NITDA highlighted its ongoing collaborations with industry stakeholders to provide training, innovation hubs, and improved access to digital resources for young Nigerians.
The session concluded with a renewed commitment from both NITDA and NIPSS to strengthen collaboration in research, policy development, and capacity building positioning Nigeria as a competitive force in the global digital and creative economy.
