In a move to advance digital transformation in Nigeria, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, recently unveiled the Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0 (SRAP 2.0) during the Omniverse Summit at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos.
In his address, Inuwa emphasized the vital role of collaboration with stakeholders in the technology ecosystem for a resilient and prosperous digital future.
Highlighting the essence of shared goals and resources, Inuwa expressed, “Our vision for Nigeria is to digitally empower the nation by thriving on innovation and fostering inclusive economic growth through technology.”
The SRAP 2.0, spanning 2024-2027, centers around eight strategic pillars, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to accelerate the digital transformation of critical economic sectors.
Fostering digital literacy and cultivating talent emerges as the first pillar, aiming to achieve 70% digital literacy by 2027. Inuwa noted, “This includes initiatives like the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT), addressing the global talent deficit and positioning Nigeria as a technological leader.”
The second pillar concentrates on building a robust technology research system, propelling Nigeria to the 25th percentile in global rankings across key areas such as AI, IoT, Robotics, Additive Manufacturing, blockchain, and UAVs.
Strengthening policy implementation and legal frameworks takes center stage as the third pillar, with Inuwa stressing the need for all ecosystem stakeholders to contribute to achieving national goals.
The fourth pillar focuses on promoting inclusive access to digital infrastructure and services, aiming to connect the unconnected through investments in learning centers and innovation hubs.
Addressing the fifth pillar, Inuwa emphasizes, “Strengthening Cybersecurity and enhancing digital trust is crucial to instill confidence in digital platforms for users.”
The sixth pillar nurtures an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem, fostering synergy in the industry and creating an enabling platform for digital transformation.
The seventh pillar advocates forging strategic partnerships and collaborations, exemplified by NITDA’s active partnership with the Omniverse platform.
The eighth and final pillar directs efforts toward cultivating a vibrant organizational culture and an agile workforce within NITDA, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to collaboration.
Inuwa invited stakeholders to download the soft copy of the roadmap through a provided QR code, encouraging feedback for collective success. He assured the government’s commitment to creating enabling policies for citizens to thrive, aiming to position Nigeria among the top 25 in key technological areas globally.
The Omniverse Summit, the backdrop for this unveiling, serves as a collaborative platform driving the digital economy on the continent. During a panel session, the convener, Obi Asika, emphasized the Omniverse’s role in bringing diverse segments of the ecosystem together, fostering understanding of happenings in Nigeria, Africa, and the world.
US Consul General, Mr. Will Stevens, acknowledged Nigeria’s dynamic digital innovation ecosystem and stressed the importance of a paradigm shift in collaboration. He called for African nations to have a significant voice in global policy discussions, underlining the need for collaboration on a worldwide scale.
Mr. Stevens highlighted the substantial partnership between the U.S. and African tech startups but noted challenges like safeguarding intellectual property locally. He concluded by emphasizing the imperative to foster collaboration beyond geographical boundaries to tackle shared global challenges collectively.
