As Nigeria intensifies efforts to build a resilient and globally competitive digital economy, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reiterated the need for a more coordinated, inclusive, and regionally responsive innovation ecosystem, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
This position was reinforced by the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, during his engagement with innovators, startup founders, policymakers, and ecosystem leaders at the Future Map Foundation Roundtable 1.0 (North-West Edition). The forum brought critical stakeholders together to interrogate the structural and policy challenges limiting innovation growth in the region, while identifying practical pathways for long-term sustainability.
Speaking during the roundtable, Abdullahi noted that while Nigeria’s innovation narrative has gained momentum in recent years, regional disparities remain a key concern. He stressed that the North-West possesses vast human capital and creative potential, but these strengths must be supported by deliberate policies, access to infrastructure, and stronger collaboration between government and the private sector.
The engagement provided a platform for frank discussions on the need to strengthen regional innovation policies, improve access to funding for early-stage startups, and create clearer pathways for scaling local solutions beyond their immediate communities. Participants highlighted the importance of aligning innovation initiatives with local realities, rather than adopting one-size-fits-all models that often exclude grassroots innovators.
Abdullahi emphasised that NITDA’s approach to digital transformation is anchored on people-driven and locally relevant innovation, capable of addressing real socio-economic challenges while remaining globally competitive. According to him, innovation must not only be technologically advanced but also inclusive, ensuring that young innovators across all regions are empowered to contribute meaningfully to national development.
He further underscored the role of public-private partnerships in unlocking the region’s innovation potential, noting that trust, policy consistency, and strategic coordination are essential to building a thriving ecosystem. By fostering collaboration among regulators, founders, academia, and development organisations, Abdullahi said Nigeria can accelerate the growth of sustainable innovation hubs outside traditional urban centres.
The roundtable also aligned with the Federal Government’s broader digital transformation agenda, which prioritises skills development, innovation-led economic growth, and the decentralisation of opportunities across the country. Stakeholders agreed that sustained engagement of this nature is critical to bridging policy gaps and ensuring that innovation policies translate into measurable impact at the grassroots level.
By convening diverse actors around a shared vision for the North-West, the Future Map Foundation Roundtable reinforced the growing consensus that Nigeria’s digital future depends on inclusive innovation, regional collaboration, and long-term strategic planning. For NITDA, the engagement marked another step in its commitment to nurturing an innovation ecosystem that leaves no region behind while positioning Nigeria as a competitive force in the global digital economy.