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By Chinenye Anuforo
The Federal Government has positioned data privacy, cybersecurity and responsible artificial intelligence as core pillars of Nigeria’s economic and digital development strategy, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has said.
Inuwa stated this while speaking at a recent Nigeria Data Privacy Capacity Building Workshop organised by the United States Department of State in collaboration with the Nigerian Mission and key stakeholders in the digital ecosystem.
He said the country’s growing emphasis on data protection and cyber resilience reflected a broader shift in national policy, as digital trust increasingly determines economic competitiveness, investment flows and innovation outcomes.
According to him, countries that fail to secure data and digital infrastructure face rising costs, reduced investor confidence and limited participation in the global digital economy.
The NITDA Director-General noted that the country’s engagement with the United States on data privacy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and capacity building is guided by the need to strengthen institutional frameworks and align national digital governance with global standards.
He recalled that under the US–Nigeria Binational Commission in April 2024, both countries agreed to deepen collaboration in critical areas of digital development, including data privacy, AI and cybersecurity.
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Inuwa said Nigeria’s focus on these areas is deliberate, stressing that artificial intelligence depends on data, data requires privacy, and privacy can only be assured through robust security systems.
He explained that trust remains the foundation of any successful digital economy, adding that weak data protection frameworks slow innovation and discourage both local and foreign investment.
The NITDA boss described the workshop as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen national capacity and policy coordination, noting that Nigeria is working to build a digital ecosystem that supports innovation while protecting citizens and businesses.
He disclosed plans to expand the nation’s National Cybersecurity Conference into an international platform, aimed at attracting global expertise, fostering partnerships and strengthening the country’s cybersecurity architecture.
Inuwa reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for innovation, noting that Nigeria and Africa represent the next frontier of the global digital economy, driven by a youthful population and expanding digital markets.
He added that while Nigeria continues to adopt global technologies, the country also possesses significant local talent capable of developing solutions to address national and regional challenges, stressing the agency’s resolve to promote local capacity development and digital self-reliance.
Inuwa commended the United States Department of State and the US Mission in Nigeria for their continued engagement and support, expressing optimism that the collaboration would further strengthen Nigeria’s digital governance and cybersecurity frameworks.
