The initiative aims to develop technology-driven solutions that directly address real-life local challenges across various socio-economic sectors.
The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, made this assertion during a familiarisation visit by the management team of Yakubu Gowon University (UniAbuja), led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, to the agency’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.
Abdullahi emphasized that NITDA is eager to deepen its collaboration with UniAbuja and other tertiary institutions. He noted that such strategic partnerships are critical to nurturing innovation ecosystems, equipping citizens with practical digital skills, and positioning Nigeria as a leading hub for technology-driven development.
Highlighting the necessity of increased funding and collaboration in research, Abdullahi identified in-depth academic inquiry as the cornerstone for leveraging emerging technologies to drive inclusive economic growth.
"We need to invest more in in-depth research with universities to build a robust research ecosystem that will help us develop solutions. Research will focus on harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, cybersecurity, and cloud technology, among other emerging technologies, to improve lives and grow our digital economy," Abdullahi stated.
Pointing to the indispensable role of higher education institutions in national development, the NITDA chief referred to UniAbuja as a crucial "talent factory".
"NITDA has a vision to make Nigeria a digitally empowered nation. You are the talent factory, and we cannot achieve our vision without talented Nigerians. The only way to achieve that is working with institutions like yours," he added.
To bridge the skill gap, Abdullahi proposed introducing Artificial Intelligence across the board as a compulsory general studies course in tertiary institutions. He urged that elements of AI be integrated into every field of study to prepare students with hands-on, practical skills needed to thrive in today's technology-driven world.
The NITDA Director General disclosed that the agency is actively collaborating with key stakeholders across the education sector. Current partners include the Federal Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).
These ongoing inter-agency collaborations are focused on embedding comprehensive digital literacy programs into curricula at all educational tiers to boost graduate employability and industry readiness.
Speaking earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University (UniAbuja), Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, stated that the visit was aimed at seeking NITDA’s partnership and technical support to upgrade the institution's digital infrastructure for enhanced educational training.
Prof. Fawehinmi expressed appreciation for NITDA’s prior interventions, particularly its notable contributions to the university’s Digital Geoscience Centre. He assured the agency of the university's readiness to participate in joint research projects, capacity-building programs, and innovation hubs aligned with NITDA’s socio-economic goals.
"We could go into partnership with you to provide data, collaborative engagements, staff exchanges, and joint research hubs so that we can produce high-level human resources," Prof. Fawehinmi stated. "The university is fully committed to serving as a strategic academic partner to NITDA by providing the deep academic expertise required to advance national digital transformation initiatives."
The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, made this assertion during a familiarisation visit by the management team of Yakubu Gowon University (UniAbuja), led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, to the agency’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.
Abdullahi emphasized that NITDA is eager to deepen its collaboration with UniAbuja and other tertiary institutions. He noted that such strategic partnerships are critical to nurturing innovation ecosystems, equipping citizens with practical digital skills, and positioning Nigeria as a leading hub for technology-driven development.
Highlighting the necessity of increased funding and collaboration in research, Abdullahi identified in-depth academic inquiry as the cornerstone for leveraging emerging technologies to drive inclusive economic growth.
"We need to invest more in in-depth research with universities to build a robust research ecosystem that will help us develop solutions. Research will focus on harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, cybersecurity, and cloud technology, among other emerging technologies, to improve lives and grow our digital economy," Abdullahi stated.
Pointing to the indispensable role of higher education institutions in national development, the NITDA chief referred to UniAbuja as a crucial "talent factory".
"NITDA has a vision to make Nigeria a digitally empowered nation. You are the talent factory, and we cannot achieve our vision without talented Nigerians. The only way to achieve that is working with institutions like yours," he added.
To bridge the skill gap, Abdullahi proposed introducing Artificial Intelligence across the board as a compulsory general studies course in tertiary institutions. He urged that elements of AI be integrated into every field of study to prepare students with hands-on, practical skills needed to thrive in today's technology-driven world.
The NITDA Director General disclosed that the agency is actively collaborating with key stakeholders across the education sector. Current partners include the Federal Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).
These ongoing inter-agency collaborations are focused on embedding comprehensive digital literacy programs into curricula at all educational tiers to boost graduate employability and industry readiness.
Speaking earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University (UniAbuja), Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, stated that the visit was aimed at seeking NITDA’s partnership and technical support to upgrade the institution's digital infrastructure for enhanced educational training.
Prof. Fawehinmi expressed appreciation for NITDA’s prior interventions, particularly its notable contributions to the university’s Digital Geoscience Centre. He assured the agency of the university's readiness to participate in joint research projects, capacity-building programs, and innovation hubs aligned with NITDA’s socio-economic goals.
"We could go into partnership with you to provide data, collaborative engagements, staff exchanges, and joint research hubs so that we can produce high-level human resources," Prof. Fawehinmi stated. "The university is fully committed to serving as a strategic academic partner to NITDA by providing the deep academic expertise required to advance national digital transformation initiatives."
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