In a significant move to bolster Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, hosted a high-powered delegation from MasterCard at the agency’s corporate headquarters in Abuja. The team was led by Mr. Derek Ho, Deputy Chief Privacy Officer of MasterCard.
The strategic meeting marked a milestone in collaborative efforts between the federal agency and the global financial technology giant, as discussions focused on leveraging data sharing frameworks and privacy-enhancing technologies to stimulate productivity and national growth.
At the heart of the engagement was a shared vision to promote digital innovation, strengthen data governance systems, and ensure the protection of citizens’ digital privacy in line with global standards. Both parties reiterated their commitment to exploring innovative solutions that address the challenges of the evolving digital economy while safeguarding the integrity of data ecosystems.
Speaking during the meeting, NITDA’s Director General, Mr. Abdullahi, expressed the agency’s strong desire to collaborate with international technology leaders such as MasterCard. He emphasized that such partnerships are crucial in aligning Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda with globally accepted best practices.
“We believe that strategic collaboration with trusted global stakeholders is vital to building a resilient and inclusive digital economy. Our goal is to ensure that Nigeria remains at the forefront of digital innovation, particularly in areas of data protection and responsible technology deployment,” the DG noted.
On his part, Mr. Derek Ho highlighted MasterCard’s continued interest in supporting Nigeria’s digital development journey. He affirmed the company’s readiness to work with NITDA to facilitate knowledge exchange, capacity building, and the adoption of advanced privacy technologies that empower individuals and organizations.
The meeting ended on a promising note, with both parties pledging to deepen engagement and formalize areas of mutual interest that will drive sustainable digital progress in Nigeria.
This latest development underscores NITDA’s proactive stance in forging cross-sectoral alliances aimed at accelerating the country’s digital economy goals, ensuring regulatory compliance, and enhancing public trust in data-driven innovation.
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