By Joy Onuorah
Let’s be honest without data, the digital economy doesn’t exist.
It’s like trying to build a skyscraper without a foundation.
This hard truth was echoed at the 2024 Digital Nigeria Innovation Challenge, where NITDA made one thing very clear: “Data is the currency of the digital economy.”
Kashifu Inuwa, NITDA’s Director General, hammered the point home through his representative, Mr. Oladejo Olawumi. “Everything is about data,” he said. And he’s right. Every click, swipe, and stream is data.
However, data has to be protected, managed, and owned responsibly. Nigeria isn’t just trying to keep up, we’re trying to lead.
This event wasn’t just another conference filled with buzzwords. It was a platform for action.
Talented Nigerian innovators showed up, bringing solutions that could put our tech ecosystem on the map.
Meanwhile, NITDA’s vision is to create an economy where Nigerian solutions solve Nigerian problems, homegrown, secure, and globally competitive.
But how do you turn ideas into impact? Inuwa offered a clear path; the Nigeria Startup Act.
This law helps tech entrepreneurs secure funding, connect with investors, and transform big dreams into reality.
He put it simply, “Whether you win today or not, this platform is a step towards achieving your dreams.”
And NITDA isn’t stopping there. They’re building “Innovation Nests”—tech hubs in three states, with plans for six more by year’s end.
Think collaborative spaces where work meets creativity, and local talent connects with global investors.
Victoria Fabunmi, ONDI’s National Coordinator, summed up the spirit of the event, “This is about spotlighting ideas that can strengthen our innovation ecosystem.”
Months of groundwork led to this moment, uncovering opportunities to reshape Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
At its core, the 2024 Digital Nigeria Innovation Challenge wasn’t just about tech. It was about talent, raw, untapped, and waiting for the right platform.
It was about data harnessed not just for profit, but for progress. And it was the belief that Nigeria’s brightest minds can build a digital economy worth leading on the global stage.
Summarily, data is Nigeria’s foundation. Innovation is the way forward.
