National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), on behalf of the Federal Government, is set to create research facilities dedicated to emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and Blockchain in all six regions of the nation. At the IoT West Africa Conference in Lagos, Director-General Kashifu Inuwa unveiled this initiative during his keynote address. He believes that this aligns with one of the agency’s main priorities, which is developing a strong research ecosystem for technology.
His statement highlighted NITDA’s research priorities, with a particular emphasis on IoT, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), blockchain technology, robotics, additive Manufacturing and AI. Kashifu announced plans to create a dedicated team that will focus on researching and developing emerging technologies in Nigeria. The team will set up research centres in each of the geo-political zones to address key areas of technological advancement. Aristotle Onumo, NITDA’s Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy, conveyed Kashifu’s message at the event.
3 million Nigerians will be equipped and empowered by 2027.
NITDA announced its commitment to not only funding research in various fields but also offering assistance to Nigerian start-ups focusing on innovative technologies. He expressed his desire to promote growth by establishing Innovation hubs that would nurture and assist individuals with creative ideas in developing practical applications. These hubs would not only help entrepreneurs establish and grow their businesses but also facilitate their entry into the market. All these strategic moves will increase the country’s Economy while giving it more leverage on the global scale.
Also, the NITDA DG is actively involved in fostering talent development through their support of the federal government’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, in addition to their work on various other technology projects. His vision is to see three million Nigerians equipped with technical skills and empowered by 2027. He believes that although some individuals may choose to work abroad after receiving training, this will not only enhance Nigeria’s talent pool but also bolster the country’s foreign exchange reserves through higher remittance inflows.
Nigeria’s youthful demographic and thriving start-up sector is an advantage.
Shitij Taneja, the Managing Director of Vertex Next, stated that Nigeria was selected as the host of the IoT West Africa conference because it is seen as the potential Silicon Valley of Africa. He emphasised Nigeria’s large youth demographic and thriving start-up sector as key factors that position the country as a significant player in the technological advancements in Africa. He explained that the decision to organise IoT West Africa alongside Africa Data Center and Cloud Expo Africa was motivated by the abundant opportunities in the market and the increasing presence of young people dedicated to advancing technology.
He believes that as more data centres are being invested in Nigeria, there will be a growing market for IoT due to people embracing these technologies. He also stated that the conference aims to attract Investors interested in supporting Nigerian start-ups focused on developing innovative products related to emerging technologies. The exhibition IoT West Africa highlights the latest advancements in technology and emphasises the significant impact of the telecommunications sector on the expansion of the economy and technological modernisation in the region.
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Moreover, the organisers believe that hosting the event in Lagos showcases the city’s strategic significance, which is closely linked to Nigeria’s advancements in technology, infrastructure, and the growing digital economy. This highlights a dedication to improving the business environment, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises in technology, agriculture, and manufacturing, by focusing on digital innovation. At the heart of this shift lies the telecommunications sector, serving as the essential foundation for connectivity and digital framework throughout West Africa.