The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) Unit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) are deepening collaboration efforts to accelerate digital transformation across Nigeria’s energy sector.
This renewed partnership took centre stage during a recent high-level engagement between both institutions, where discussions focused on harnessing emerging technologies to redefine the future of the nation’s energy industry.
Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, emphasised the urgent need for NNPC to transition from a traditional model centred on the exploitation of oil and gas resources to a more forward-looking approach driven by technological exploration. He highlighted key innovations such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics as critical tools for modernising operations and improving efficiency.
According to Inuwa, information technology has become a vital enabler across industries, with innovation set to shape the future of energy production, operational efficiency, and sustainability in Nigeria. He reiterated NITDA’s commitment to advancing digital literacy, building local capacity, strengthening research ecosystems, and promoting indigenous technology solutions.
He further noted that reducing dependence on foreign technologies while fostering homegrown innovation remains central to achieving digital sovereignty and long-term economic resilience.
As part of the collaboration, NITDA will support NNPC in developing a robust innovation pipeline that connects the company to Nigeria’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem. Through targeted incubation programmes and innovation challenges, startups will be empowered to design practical, industry-specific solutions for the oil and gas sector.
The Agency also spotlighted its ongoing initiatives aimed at nurturing innovation among young Nigerians, including members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), many of whom are already developing impactful, real-world solutions through its programmes.
Earlier, Director of NNPC RTI, Olatomiwa Olaniyi, explained that the engagement was geared towards co-creating solutions and establishing a strong partnership framework to fast-track innovation across the entire energy value chain.
He stressed that meaningful collaboration between government institutions, industry stakeholders, and the broader technology ecosystem is essential for driving sustainable innovation.
Olaniyi outlined the RTI Unit’s mandate, which focuses on leveraging innovation to enhance operational efficiency, increase revenue generation, and support sustainable growth across NNPC’s diverse operations, including upstream, gas, power, and emerging energy solutions. He added that the unit operates a structured innovation framework centred on research development, prototype creation, strategic partnerships, talent acquisition, and fostering a culture of continuous innovation.
Both organisations underscored the importance of enabling policies and regulatory frameworks in driving innovation. Inuwa highlighted that the effective implementation of the Nigerian Startup Act will play a crucial role in supporting emerging tech ventures and scaling innovative ideas into commercially viable solutions.
The collaboration is poised to strengthen the role of technology as a key driver of efficiency, diversification, and sustainable growth within Nigeria’s energy sector.
