The Director-General and CEO of Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has participated in a high-level engagement convened by the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue, bringing together technology leaders, investors and digital policy experts to discuss opportunities for accelerating digital transformation.
The engagement focused on key areas including artificial intelligence, trusted digital infrastructure, connectivity, technology investment, digital skills and emerging technologies, while examining the growing role of technology diplomacy in supporting economic competitiveness and national development.
Inuwa highlighted Nigeria’s youthful population, growing digital ecosystem and regulatory clarity as major opportunities for positioning the country not only as a consumer of global technologies, but also as a creator, strategic partner and competitive destination for technology investment and innovation.
Discussions also emphasised the importance of moving from dialogue to partnerships capable of delivering measurable outcomes. Priorities include attracting investment into critical digital infrastructure, strengthening local capabilities, expanding access to international technology markets and ensuring emerging technologies contribute to jobs, productivity and inclusive economic growth.
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The engagement brought together representatives from the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, Google, Visa, ServiceNow, IREX, APTelecom, Africell, Cybation, United States Telecommunications Training Institute and the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue.
Among the participants were Michelle Giuda, CEO of the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue; Janice deGarmo, Chief Global Engagement Officer at the Krach Institute; Adam Cassidy, Ambassador at Large for Cyber, Cyberspace and Digital Policy at the U.S. Department of State; Mark Mitchell, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Middle East and Africa at the U.S. Department of Commerce; and Sarah Troutman, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.
NITDA said the engagement reinforces the importance of international collaboration in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey. The agency noted that building a globally competitive digital economy requires stronger connections between policy, technology, infrastructure, capital, talent and markets.
The agency added that it remains committed to using international partnerships to advance Nigeria’s digital transformation priorities and convert global relationships into investment, knowledge transfer, local capacity development, market opportunities and sustainable economic value for Nigerians.
