By Fatima Bello
Nigeria’s technology leaders are calling for a bold rethink of how the country builds its digital future, one where artificial intelligence, security, and sustainability converge to drive progress.
Speaking in Kano at the opening of the 19th International Conference (CONNOVATE 2025) of the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, said these three forces are no longer optional.
They are the backbone of national development, digital trust, and global competitiveness.
“In Nigeria, trust is the ultimate currency in our high-stakes digital environment, where scams and cybercrime are prevalent. Security builds and protects this trust,” Inuwa, represented by Engr. Salisu Kaka, Director of E-Government and Digital Economy Development, said.
*Why Security and Intelligence Must Work Together*
Inuwa warned against the risks of chasing innovation without guardrails.
“Innovation without security is unsustainable,” he said, comparing it to “a high-performance race car without brakes.”
Security, he argued, provides the foundation. Intelligence, through Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and data analytics, builds the structure.
Together, they can unlock solutions to Nigeria’s biggest challenges, from financial inclusion to healthcare and agriculture.
He pointed to Estonia’s X-Road platform, which has made 99% of government services accessible online, as proof that secure, intelligent systems can transform entire nations.
*From Startups to Systems: Nigeria’s Next Leap*
Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem is buzzing. But Inuwa challenged the next wave of startups to do more than digitize existing processes.
The future, he said, lies in creating entirely new value. Examples include:
. AI-powered wealth management platforms for smarter financial planning
. ML-driven remote diagnostics to bring affordable healthcare to rural communities
. Backing this vision are major government programmes under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE):
. National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR)
. Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT)
. Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023
. National digital identity programme
. Interoperable payments system
. Human capital initiatives like the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) and Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL)projects
These initiatives, he noted, are laying the foundation for a resilient digital economy.
*Protecting Nigeria’s Heritage in the Digital Age*
Data is fast becoming the world’s most valuable resource. But who owns it?
Quoting Antony Wong, President of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP), Inuwa stressed that developing nations like Nigeria must protect their indigenous knowledge as it is digitised.
“There is a need for stronger protection and strategic use of data in the Global South to safeguard indigenous knowledge,” Wong said.
Further, he commended Nigeria’s role in the recent World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaty, protecting genetic resources and traditional knowledge.
As Nigeria digitises cultural heritage in medicine, ecology, and art, experts say legal clarity on data ownership will be essential to prevent exploitation.
*Why This Conversation Matters Now*
The urgency of these discussions was underscored by NCS President, Dr. Muhammad Sirajo, who said the conference offers a rare opportunity for collaboration across sectors.
“This conference will provide an interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners, and educators to present and discuss recent innovations, trends, and solutions for improving technological systems,” he said.
The week-long CONNOVATE 2025 is more than just lectures. It includes:
. Plenary sessions on intelligent systems, fintech, energy, agriculture, and health
. A doctoral consortium and youth entrepreneurship forum
. The Fellows Forum and the Society’s Annual General Meeting
. An IT quiz competition for students and induction of new members
. Culminating in elections, a gala dinner, and awards night recognising ICT pioneers
*The Big Picture: Progress With Guardrails*
Nigeria stands at a crossroads. The country is brimming with youthful talent and digital ambition, but progress depends on one crucial thing: trust.
By integrating AI, security, and sustainability, NITDA believes Nigeria can leapfrog into a future where technology does not just serve government and business, but improves the daily lives of millions.
For a nation often defined by its challenges, the message from Kano was clear: Nigeria’s digital future will be built not just on innovation, but on the confidence that it is intelligent, secure, and sustainable.
