In what may come as a surprise to many, Nigeria’s boldest strides toward a unified, future-ready digital economy are taking shape not in Silicon Valley-styled hubs in Lagos or Abuja, but right in the heart of Northern Nigeria.
At a 2-day stakeholder forum held at the historic Arewa House in Kaduna, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), revealed that Northern Nigeria is quietly becoming a cornerstone of the country’s ambitious digital transformation agenda.
Speaking at the “Government–Citizens Engagement” event organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Inuwa described the digital economy as Nigeria’s most powerful equaliser, a tool that transcends class, geography, and even politics.
“Digital technology is not a vertical sector,” he declared. “It powers everything else. It is foundational, pervasive, and key to inclusive growth.”
With President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as the backdrop, Inuwa shared how NITDA’s work is translating lofty campaign promises into real-world results, especially in underserved regions.
In the North alone, over 350,000 people have been trained in digital skills since 2023 through programs like the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative and Digital Literacy for All.
But the mission doesn’t stop at training.
Inuwa revealed a multi-pronged strategy built around three core pillars:
Human Capital Development
Digital Infrastructure
Innovation-Driven Entrepreneurship
To scale impact, NITDA is partnering with the Federal Ministry of Education to embed digital literacy into the formal school curriculum—from kindergarten to university.
The NYSC is also on board, with corps members being trained as digital literacy ambassadors for rural communities.
North Rising: Infrastructure Gets a Major Boost
While many regions wait on digital inclusion, the North is getting an infrastructure facelift.
Inuwa announced that three new digital centres are being built in each state, and 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable will soon crisscross the country. So far, the North alone has gained within the past two years.:
13 IT Community Centres
101 Digital Economy E-learning Centres
1 Cybersecurity Research Hub
This infrastructure, according to Inuwa, is not just about tech access, it’s about empowering communities, unlocking innovation, and building national unity through opportunity.
Global Eyes on Nigeria
Thanks to economic reforms and strategic partnerships, Nigeria’s digital ecosystem is now catching the eye of international giants.
Both Google and Microsoft have ramped up investments in the country, while two major global events; GITEX Nigeria (September) and ICEGOV Summit (November), will bring top-tier innovators and investors to Nigerian soil.
A Quiet Revolution with Loud Results
At first glance, Kaduna may not seem like the digital capital of Africa. But beneath the surface, a quiet revolution is underway.
This aims not only to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide, but to turn its diversity into digital strength.
As Nigeria pushes forward, the message from NITDA is clear: The future isn’t just digital. It’s inclusive, northern, and proudly Nigerian.
