The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi has declared that the orange economy presents an opportunity to create sustainable economic growth.
The NITDA DG made this known when the agency hosted the Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Professor Ayo Omotayo, alongside participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 48, 2026.
The visit, which builds on an earlier strategic study tour, provided a platform for deeper engagement on the role of digital innovation in driving sustainable economic growth, with particular emphasis on the Orange Economy.
Representing the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, the agency’s Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Dr. Aristotle Onumo, highlighted ongoing efforts to build a thriving digital ecosystem through inclusive policies, strategic partnerships, and capacity development initiatives.
“NITDA remains committed to creating an enabling environment where innovation can thrive by bringing together government, the private sector, academia, and creatives to drive Nigeria’s digital economy,” he said.
He underscored the growing relevance of the Orange Economy, describing it as a vital driver of innovation and economic value through intellectual property. According to him, sectors such as digital content creation, film, animation, and digital art are increasingly contributing to national development.
“The Orange Economy presents a significant opportunity to convert our cultural heritage and creativity into sustainable economic growth,” he added.
Onumo also pointed to Nigeria’s demographic advantage, noting that the country’s youthful and creative population positions it strongly for global competitiveness, provided there is sustained collaboration and investment across the ecosystem.
“With our youthful population and rich cultural assets, Nigeria is well-positioned to emerge as a global leader in the Orange Economy if collaboration and investment are strengthened,” he said.
During the session, NITDA outlined several initiatives designed to support the digital and creative sectors, including investments in digital infrastructure, promotion of digital literacy, and policy frameworks aimed at helping startups and innovators scale.
Addressing sector challenges, the agency identified funding constraints, infrastructure gaps, weak intellectual property protection, and ecosystem fragmentation as key issues requiring coordinated action.
“Bridging funding gaps, improving infrastructure, and strengthening intellectual property protection are critical to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s creative economy,” Onumo noted.
NITDA also reiterated its goal of achieving 70 percent digital literacy by 2027, noting that ongoing programmes are equipping millions of Nigerians with essential digital skills, particularly in underserved and informal sectors.
In his remarks, Professor Omotayo described the visit as a valuable opportunity to gain insights into how digital technologies are reshaping economic sectors, especially the creative industry. He noted that the knowledge gained would inform policy recommendations aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s economic framework.
Participants of the SEC 48 programme actively engaged during the session, raising questions on capacity development, access to digital tools, and frameworks for protecting digital content. In response, NITDA highlighted its collaborations with industry stakeholders to provide training, innovation hubs, and access to resources for young Nigerians.
The engagement concluded with both NITDA and NIPSS reaffirming their commitment to deeper collaboration in research, policy development, and capacity building, aimed at positioning Nigeria as a competitive force in the global digital and creative economy.