Harness states’ strength for economic growth — NITDA urges policymakers
By Blessing Emmanuel
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has urged policymakers to leverage the unique strengths of their states to foster economic prosperity.
Inuwa made this call during a capacity-building workshop at FutureMap Academy in Hadejia, Jigawa State. The event, themed “AI for Office Productivity, Design Thinking, Agriculture, Health, Education, Energy, and Climate Change,” brought together a diverse group of participants, including academics, professionals, startup founders, students, government officials, and representatives from non-governmental organisations.
In his address, Inuwa highlighted the importance of identifying and utilising local resources to drive development. He pointed out that Jigawa State’s large pool of computer science graduates represents a significant asset for the region. However, he emphasised that the state’s potential could only be fully realised if these graduates are given the right opportunities and skills.
Encouraging the participants to rethink service delivery, Inuwa stressed the vital role that technology-driven solutions play in improving lives.
He noted the benefits of digital transformation, which integrates people, processes, and technology to boost productivity and enable remote work opportunities for citizens.
Using examples like Uber and Airbnb, Inuwa illustrated how innovation disrupts traditional systems. He also discussed the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and how NITDA is leveraging AI to enhance operational efficiency by streamlining processes and managing complex tasks.
“Effective service delivery begins with individual commitment and grows into collective action,” he remarked, urging attendees to adopt strategic problem-solving approaches and inspire others to embrace technology in order to improve workflows.
In a goodwill message, Dr. Nihinlola Mary Fafore, a representative of Huawei, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Nigeria’s digital transformation, particularly in Northern Nigeria. Speaking virtually, Fafore outlined Huawei’s vision of empowering individuals and communities with digital skills through partnerships with key stakeholders.
“Huawei aims to bridge the digital divide, foster innovation, and enhance employability among young Nigerians,” she stated, highlighting the company’s efforts to build a robust tech ecosystem that ensures no region is left behind.
Dr. Rislan Abdulazeez Kanya, Technical Adviser to the Governor of Jigawa State on ICT and Digital Economy, discussed the untapped potential of local human capital. He called for the introduction of strategic policies to foster growth and innovation, stressing the state government’s commitment to positioning Jigawa as a technology-driven development hub, in collaboration with NITDA and other partners.
Other speakers at the workshop underlined the importance of continuous learning and collaboration to create a technologically advanced work environment in Jigawa.
The workshop was organised by FutureMap Foundation, in collaboration with NITDA, Jigawa State, Huawei, Cosmopolitan University, and the Open School Initiative.
FutureMap Foundation’s mission is to promote inclusive economic growth, productive employment, and sustainable development through digital job creation, skills acquisition, and creative technology programmes. Its training facility, FutureMap Academy in Hadejia, provides technology education for young people through partnerships with both public and private organisations, offering programmes in deep tech.
As Nigeria continues to embrace digital transformation, events like this highlight the significance of strategic collaboration and the crucial role of technology in driving development across the country.
