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By Henry Uche
Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has said Nigeria is at a crossroads and in need of leaders with principles and disruptive mindsets. The NITDA DG made this known in a keynote address in Lagos during the third Biennial Corporate Governance and Enterprise Development Conference, put together by Centre for Enterprise Governance (CEG).
With the theme, “Redefining Enterprise Leadership In a Changing Nigeria: Artificial Intelligence, Protectionism and Governance In Focus,” the DG said the future of Nigerian enterprise depends on strong leadership, smart openness, and effective Al governance.
He stressed that these were not abstract ideals, but actionable priorities that could drive innovation, create local value and position Nigeria as a global competitor.
“At NITDA, we are demonstrating what this looks like in practice: implementing AI responsibly, building regulatory frameworks that enable growth, and investing in the skills our people need to lead in the digital economy.
“AI is still evolving; it can lie, cover its lies and hallucinate. My call today is: act decisively, innovate responsibly, and collaborate inclusively. Identify where AI can transform your organization, build local capacity and embed governance in every decision. By doing so, you will not only secure competitive advantage but also contribute to a Nigeria that is prosperous, inclusive, and ready for the opportunities of the digital age”
In his opening remark, the founder/CEO of CEG, Dr. Adeyinka Hassan, reiterated its dedication to advancing enterprise development through the principles of good governance.
He reaffirmed the centre’s commitment to educate and empower entrepreneurs, advocate for entrepreneurial governance, create socio-economic value, and develop initiatives that strengthen enterprises at all levels, including nano, micro, small, medium and large.
“Our work is anchored on education, empowerment, collaboration, leadership, and multi-stakeholder engagement as true pillars of sustainable growth. Artificial intelligence, economic protectionism and shifting governance structures are no longer distant debates, they are realities defining how we work, how we govern, and how we compete.
“While the world is moving at lightning speed, Nigeria, and indeed Africa, is still playing catch-up. If we delay, the digital divide will not just widen, it will transform into an economic gulf”
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Hassan who questioned the kind of leaders Nigeria and Africa would need in the age of disruption, reminded leaders that leadership is not about titles, but about adaptive intelligence and the courage to embrace technology without losing our humanity.
“The choices we make now will decide whether we remain spectators in the AI-driven global economy, or rise as architects of Africa’s prosperity” he said.
Head, Department of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, University of Ibadan, Professor Bolanle Oladejo, who spoke on “Igniting Enterprise Excellence: Harnessing AI Amid Protectionism and Ethical Governance,” maintained that the definition of successful Nigerian enterprise leadership would be shaped by those who can embrace paradox, navigate complexity and create value across multiple dimensions simultaneously.
“The leaders who will build Nigeria’s next generation of globally competitive enterprises are those who understand that transformation is not a destination, but a permanent state of organizational being. They must be comfortable with constant learning, rapid decision-making under uncertainty, and the responsibility of building businesses that serve not just shareholders but the broader project of national development.
“This requires a level of personal and organizational resilience that goes beyond traditional business skills to encompass emotional intelligence, systems thinking, and moral courage. I challenge every leader to commit to becoming what Nigeria needs: transformation agents who can build enterprises that are technologically sophisticated, strategically positioned, and ethically grounded.
“The Nigeria of our dreams, prosperous, innovative and globally respected, will be built by leaders who refuse to accept the limitations of the past and who have the courage to invent new models of business success” she asserted.
Similarly, independent non-executive director, First City Monument Bank, Mrs. Olayemi Keri, challenged Nigerian enterprises to invest in governance, start small, scale responsibly, think globally, act locally and protect human capital. “Safeguard your data, train your staff and embed ethics at every level. If we do this, Nigeria can lead not just in adopting AI, but in showing the world how to govern it wisely”
Keri, who spoke on “Protecting African Realities in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” noted that AI may write reports, analyze data and even mimic human faces and voices, but it cannot dream, imagine nor feel the weight of responsibility for a community, a nation, or a continent.
“That is why leadership in this new era is not about choosing between humans and machines. It is about – ensuring that machines serve humanity, under the guidance of leaders who are wise, ethical, and courageous. Let us redefine enterprise leadership for a changing Nigeria. We need leadership that embraces AI, navigates protectionism, and strengthens governance, not for its own sake, but for the future of our people” she said.
