NITDA DG Urges Nigerian Youth to Lead in Driving Africa’s Digital Future
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has called on Nigerian youth to take the lead in driving Africa’s digital transformation, noting that the nation’s young population holds the key to a prosperous and inclusive future.
Inuwa made the call while delivering his opening remarks at the three-day Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition 2025 at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
He expressed his gratitude to the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his presence, describing it as a powerful demonstration that this administration cares deeply about our youth.
The conference organised by NITDA, provides a dynamic platform for ecosystem stakeholders to showcase their work and explore emerging trends aimed at transforming the nation and continent’s digital future.
The Digital Nigeria Conference also serves as a platform that bridges government and industry, fostering collaboration between policymakers, innovators, and private-sector leaders.
It also aims to harmonise regulatory frameworks, promote public–private partnerships, and drive the effective implementation of Nigeria’s national digital strategies for inclusive and sustainable growth.
DG NITDA affirmed that the conference’s theme, Innovation for a Sustainable Digital Future: Accelerating Growth, Inclusion, and Global Competitiveness, aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on economic diversification through digitalisation, industrialisation and innovation.
According to him, Nigeria, with over 220 million people and an average age of 18, stands at a critical crossroads, one that could either unleash unprecedented prosperity or deepen socio-economic challenges if the nation fails to harness the creativity of its youth.
He further stated “If we harness the energy, the creativity and talent of our youth, we are not just going to power Nigeria, but we can power the entire Africa into a new era of prosperity. But if we fail to do that, if we fail to skill our youth, if we fail to provide a platform for them to create value, we are stunting the most valuable asset we have as a nation.”
The NITDA boss announced that the 2025 edition of the conference has attracted over 4,800 national and international innovators, policymakers, investors, among others from 12 countries and 25 Nigerian states.
“This year’s event features 12 keynote sessions, 23 panel discussions, five workshops, and two expert masterclasses across five thematic tracks,” he said.
Inuwa cited the five tracks which include: digital connectivity, digital public infrastructure and trust, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, digital trade and innovation, and digital skills and literacy.
Inuwa urged the participants to see the conference as more than a networking opportunity but as a catalyst for actionable collaboration, adding “Every handshake, every dialogue, and every deal made here should be driven by one conviction: Nigeria can do it, and we will do it.”