The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Federal Government have called for stronger cybersecurity frameworks, international cooperation and improved legal mechanisms to tackle emerging digital threats driven by artificial intelligence (AI).

The call was made at the second edition of the International Cybersecurity Conference (ICSC 2026), organised by NITDA in Abuja from October 27 to 28, under the theme, “Cyber Resilience in the Age of AI: Defending Minds, Networks and Nations.”

The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said the growing sophistication of cyberattacks made it necessary for countries to move beyond conventional cybersecurity measures and develop the capacity to withstand, recover from and adapt to digital threats.

Inuwa said the conference was expanded to an international platform to bring together cybersecurity experts, policymakers and stakeholders from West and Central Africa and other parts of the world to exchange knowledge and strengthen collective responses to cyber threats.

He disclosed that the maiden edition attracted more than 600 participants from 175 organisations, while the 2026 conference had recorded over 700 registered participants, with expectations of reaching 1,000 participants from between 300 and 400 organisations.

According to him, the increasing participation demonstrated the need to expand the conference’s reach and impact in subsequent editions.

The NITDA chief executive explained that cybersecurity and cyber resilience, although related, had different objectives.

While cybersecurity focuses on preventing and defending against attacks, he said cyber resilience involves the ability to recover and maintain operations after an attack has occurred.

He warned that artificial intelligence had transformed the threat landscape by giving cybercriminals sophisticated tools to generate fake voices, videos and images, manipulate public perception and carry out advanced social engineering attacks.

“In the age of AI, cybersecurity is a different game. It is no more like the cybersecurity we knew before,” he said, stressing that organisations must now deploy AI-assisted defence mechanisms to counter increasingly sophisticated attacks.

Inuwa also warned that cybercriminals were increasingly targeting people rather than computer systems because manipulating human behaviour could provide easier access to sensitive information and digital infrastructure.

He urged individuals and institutions to strengthen their ability to identify manipulated content and distinguish authentic information from AI-generated misinformation.

Beyond protecting individuals and networks, the NITDA director-general said Nigeria must strengthen its digital sovereignty by developing greater control over its digital infrastructure, data, technology and artificial intelligence systems.

He disclosed that NITDA was working with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Assembly to review the Cybercrimes Act and strengthen the country’s cybersecurity policy framework.

The agency, he added, was considering the development of a national cybersecurity architecture with minimum standards to guide organisations in protecting their systems and digital assets.

Inuwa also highlighted the National Sovereign Cloud Regulatory Instrument issued by NITDA, saying it was designed to address issues relating to data, infrastructure, cloud technology and artificial intelligence.

He said Nigeria must also assess whether AI agents deployed across different sectors understand the country’s culture, languages and operating environment, and whether their decision-making processes can be adequately understood and controlled.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, the commission’s representative emphasised that telecommunications infrastructure had become central to Nigeria’s digital economy and national security.

He said the increasing use of AI had accelerated the speed and scale of cyberattacks, requiring a shift from traditional defensive measures to systems capable of anticipating threats, withstanding attacks and recovering without disrupting essential services.

Maida noted that cyber threats now included AI-driven phishing, automated credential attacks, deepfakes designed to bypass security checks and malware capable of changing its behaviour to evade detection.

He cited reported cyber incidents involving internet-connected supermarket refrigeration systems in France and spyware attacks targeting journalists and media personnel in the Middle East as examples of the growing sophistication of digital threats.

According to him, such incidents underscored the vulnerabilities that Nigeria must prepare to confront.

Maida said the NCC had established its Computer Security Incident Response Team (NCC-CSIRT) to monitor threats, coordinate intelligence sharing and strengthen incident reporting across the telecommunications industry.

He added that the commission’s Cyber Resilience Framework for the Nigerian Communications Sector established common security baselines for licensed operators and supported coordination with national cybersecurity bodies, including the Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT).

The NCC chief executive called on telecommunications operators to adopt Zero Trust Architecture, a security model based on continuous verification rather than automatic trust, while ensuring that AI systems integrated into network operations were regularly assessed for vulnerabilities.

He further urged regulators, telecommunications operators, financial institutions, security agencies and international partners to deepen cooperation, noting that an attack on one critical sector could affect several others.

Representing the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, said Nigeria’s legal and enforcement institutions must evolve alongside rapid technological changes.

Oyedepo said cybercrime had expanded beyond online fraud to include business email compromise, cryptocurrency-enabled fraud, sextortion, child exploitation and AI-assisted deception, with many offences crossing national borders.

He reaffirmed the importance of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, as amended, in Nigeria’s response to digital offences.

He also disclosed that work was advancing on a third executive bill to strengthen the country’s legal framework, building on Nigeria’s engagement with international cybercrime cooperation mechanisms and consultations on emerging legal challenges.

According to him, the proposed reforms should strengthen the preservation and exchange of electronic evidence, improve investigations and prosecutions, and protect human rights and the rule of law.

“Security must protect liberty, not become an excuse to undermine it,” he said, advocating a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to cybersecurity.

Oyedepo added that the Federal Government would consider useful recommendations from the conference in developing proposals for presentation to the National Assembly.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, described the conference as an opportunity to advance technology diplomacy and strengthen Nigeria’s international partnerships in the digital sector.

He said the participation of foreign legislators reflected growing international interest in Nigeria’s technology initiatives and reinforced the country’s potential as a destination for business, investment and collaboration.

Similarly, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide, described cybersecurity as a constantly evolving challenge that required continuous learning, innovation and adaptation.

Olajide warned that security strategies effective today might become inadequate tomorrow as artificial intelligence continued to transform the methods available to cybercriminals.

He called for stronger collaboration among cybersecurity professionals, policymakers, diplomats, judicial officers and government agencies, stressing that cyber threats transcended national and continental boundaries.

The lawmaker urged countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas and Latin America to recognise cybersecurity as a shared challenge requiring coordinated international action.

The Chair of the Council of Europe’s Cybercrime Convention Committee, Pedro Verdelho, also called for greater public awareness of the risks associated with digital technologies.

He observed that AI and other digital tools had become integral to everyday activities, including online searches, travel planning and commercial transactions, while public understanding of the associated security risks remained inadequate.

Verdelho highlighted the Budapest Convention as an important international framework for facilitating cooperation against cybercrime and improving access to electronic evidence. He welcomed the participation of countries in the region in international efforts to combat digital offences.

The Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm, said cybersecurity was essential to building public confidence in digital transformation, warning that increased connectivity also exposed individuals, businesses and institutions to greater risks.

She said Nigeria’s digital transformation offered significant opportunities for innovation, economic growth and inclusion, adding that Sweden and Swedish companies were supporting the country’s digital development.

The conference is expected to strengthen collaboration among government institutions, private-sector organizations and international partners on practical strategies for building cyber resilience and protecting citizens, networks and national digital infrastructure in the age of artificial intelligence.

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Recently, I came across a news story on TechDigest about the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, laying the foundation for a $10.4 million Renewed Hope Startup Hub in Abuja. I could not help but marvel at the development and, at the same time, feel excited about what the future holds for Nigeria’s technology sector. I was particularly impressed because, at a time when public attention is increasingly shifting towards the upcoming elections, with political activities taking centre stage, the First Lady remains actively involved in initiatives aimed at advancing technology, empowering young people and supporting national development.

What makes this development even more interesting is that it is not an isolated project. Rather, it reflects a growing commitment by the First Lady to digital inclusion, technology-driven empowerment and the creation of opportunities for Nigerians, particularly women, girls and young people. Her consistent presence at technology-related programmes involving the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) also raises an important question: What does this growing interest mean for Nigeria’s digital future?

For those who have followed her activities, the answer is becoming increasingly clear.

Through her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Senator Oluremi Tinubu has established a strong partnership with NITDA, creating opportunities for technology to reach communities and groups that have traditionally been underserved.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this partnership is the establishment of community Information and Communication Technology centres. These facilities are not merely buildings equipped with computers. They represent a deliberate effort to bring digital opportunities closer to people who might otherwise struggle to access them.

The partnership began with the inauguration of a community ICT centre in Bauchi on March 12, 2024. Named after Zainab Bulkachuwa, the first female President of the Court of Appeal, the centre set the tone for subsequent initiatives.

This was followed by the Amina Ndalolo Community ICT Centre in Ilorin, Kwara State, in January 2025, alongside a ₦50 million grant announced for women entrepreneurs. In April 2025, another centre was inaugurated in Ibadan, Oyo State, and named after former Trade Minister Onikepo Akande.

The partnership continued to expand, reaching Ihugh, Vandeikya, Benue State, by June 2026, where the fourth community ICT centre was inaugurated and named after Mrs Lucy Zaiyol Aluor. The centre further demonstrated the commitment to making digital learning accessible beyond major cities.

Beyond these community-based facilities, the ambition extends to a broader network of digital learning centres. On October 23, 2025, the First Lady inaugurated ten such centres virtually, covering Abia, Delta, Edo, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ondo, Yobe and Zamfara states. The geographical spread of these facilities reflects an understanding that digital development must not be concentrated in a few urban centres.

The partnership has also extended into higher education, where the focus is on preparing students for the demands of an increasingly digital economy. Through the collaboration involving the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), ICT Experience Centres are being established across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with each centre costing approximately ₦1 billion.

The centre at Ekiti State University, commissioned in May 2026, features artificial intelligence tools designed to support students. Similar facilities have been established at the University of Cross River State and Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, while Kwara State University, Malete, has also benefited from the initiative.

These centres are expected to support training in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, software development and other emerging technologies. In a country where young people are increasingly seeking opportunities in the global digital economy, such investments could make a significant difference.

However, providing infrastructure is only one part of the equation. The First Lady’s interest in technology is also reflected in her commitment to digital skills development. The Women ICT Training and Empowerment Programme, organised in collaboration with NITDA, expanded from an initial cohort of women in the Federal Capital Territory to beneficiaries across all 36 states and the FCT. By November 2025, more than 600 women had benefited from the programme.

Similarly, her partnership with Huawei has supported women entrepreneurs through training in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, 5G and digital transformation.

These initiatives are particularly important because access to technology alone does not guarantee empowerment. People must also possess the skills and confidence to use it productively.

This broader vision of technology-driven development is also evident in her activities in Jigawa State. Among the key projects inaugurated was the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Academy, a technology and data-focused institution established and championed by the Director General NITDA, Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi.

The academy reinforces the importance of equipping young people with digital skills and preparing them for opportunities in an increasingly data-driven economy. Also inaugurated was the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Clinic, a specialised healthcare facility built and equipped by FutureMap Foundation and eHealth Africa to address chronic kidney disease. Beyond these technology-driven interventions, the First Lady also announced a ₦100 million business recapitalisation grant for 2,000 women petty traders, with each beneficiary receiving ₦50,000. Together, these initiatives reflect a development approach that connects digital innovation with education, healthcare and economic empowerment.

Against this backdrop, the latest development, the Renewed Hope Startup Hub in Wuye, Abuja, brings these efforts into sharper focus. The $10.4 million project, funded through a Japanese government grant facilitated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is expected to provide hardware prototyping facilities, incubation, mentorship and international partnerships. NITDA is expected to oversee the hub upon completion.

Although the project is still at the foundation-laying stage, its potential is significant. It could provide a platform where Nigerian innovators move beyond ideas to develop, test and commercialise technology solutions.

For NITDA, these partnerships present an opportunity to translate its digital economy mandate into tangible outcomes. The agency’s responsibility goes beyond policy formulation. It must also ensure that technology infrastructure, digital literacy and innovation opportunities reach the people who need them most.

In this regard, the First Lady’s consistent participation in these initiatives is more than ceremonial. It signals the importance attached to technology as a tool for national development and provides institutional visibility for programmes that might otherwise receive limited public attention.

It is therefore unsurprising that Kashifu consistently portrays the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as a mother figure and advocate for women and youth empowerment. In a recent public post, he affectionately declared, “Mummy, you’re truly the mother of our nation,” while commending her technology-driven initiatives under the Renewed Hope Initiative. He particularly acknowledged her contributions to digital inclusion, describing her leadership as instrumental in expanding opportunities for women and young people to participate in Nigeria’s digital economy, in line with the administration’s objectives of economic diversification and inclusive growth.

Of course, the real measure of success will not be the number of centres inaugurated or the value of investments announced. It will be whether these facilities remain functional, whether beneficiaries acquire practical skills, whether young innovators build viable businesses and whether women gain greater economic independence.

As Nigeria looks towards the future, one thing is becoming evident. Technology is no longer a peripheral issue in national development. It is central to education, economic empowerment, innovation and the country’s competitiveness.

With the First Lady’s sustained interest, supported by NITDA’s technical capacity and mandate, there is reason to be optimistic about what lies ahead.

The foundation has been laid. The real work, and the real opportunity, is in what Nigerians will build upon it.

Shuaib S. Agaka is a tech journalist and digital policy analyst based in Kano. He can be reached via sshuaib328@gmail.com

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KANO: The business community in Kano got an early look at what Global Tech Africa (GTA) 2026 promises to deliver. The GTA 2026 Mixer, held on 9th October at The Groove by Gusto, Audu Bako Way, Nasarawa GRA, brought together about 100 participants and produced some 250 business-to-business (B2B) meetings in a single evening.

Organised by the GTA 2026 Organizing Committee as part of the build-up to the main conference, the Mixer was designed as an exclusive networking gathering for the key players in Africa’s technology and business ecosystem. Participants included representatives of academia, investors, civil society organisations, government representatives and officials from government institutions.

The volume of B2B meetings was the clearest sign of the event’s value. Guests spent the evening exchanging ideas, exploring partnerships and discussing opportunities in investment, collaboration, market access and business development. Several delegates are already forging partnerships and closing business deals, even though the main conference has yet to begin.

The mix of participants also matters. By putting investors, policymakers, academics and civil society in one room, the Mixer created the kind of cross-sector conversation that Africa’s technology and industrial growth depends on. Government representatives engaged directly with entrepreneurs and investors, and academia met the private sector, a pairing that is often missing from similar events.

The Mixer also served as a preview of the conference theme, “Connecting Africa, Accelerating Growth,” and its sub-theme, “Industrialization, Market Access & The Sahel Gateway.” Kano’s long standing as a commercial hub linking Nigeria to the wider Sahel gives that theme particular weight.

The Main Event: 3rd to 5th November

If the Mixer was the opening act, the main conference is the headline. From 3rd to 5th November 2026, Kano hosts Global Tech Africa 2026 at the Amani Event Center. GTA brings together the people, technology, investment and businesses that can help Africa produce more, create jobs and sell to bigger markets.

For entrepreneurs, investors, innovators and policymakers, the message is simple. The next customer, the next investor or the next business partner could be in Kano this November. Those who stay away risk watching competitors close the deals they could have made themselves.

One evening produced hundreds of conversations and the first signs of concrete deals. The organisers expect three days of conference sessions, exhibitions and meetings to build on that momentum.

Registration for GTA 2026 is open at https://gtaconference.com/registration/#attendee.

#GTA2026 #GlobalTechAfrica #MarketAccess #ConnectingAfrica #AcceleratingGrowth

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Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has laid the foundation for the $10.4 million Renewed Hope Startup Hub in Abuja, an innovation facility supported by the Japanese government to accelerate digital entrepreneurship, technological development and job creation among Nigerian youths.

The project, located in Wuye, Abuja, is being funded through a grant from the Japanese government, facilitated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

The facility is designed to provide young innovators and emerging businesses with access to advanced technology, research facilities, hardware prototyping equipment, business incubation, mentorship and international partnerships.

Speaking at the foundation-laying ceremony, the First Lady described the initiative as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to harness technology for economic diversification, youth empowerment and inclusive development.

She commended the Japanese government and JICA for supporting the project, describing the partnership as a demonstration of international confidence in Nigeria’s digital economy and the innovative potential of its youthful population.

According to her, the startup hub aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its emphasis on entrepreneurship, digital skills, sustainable employment and economic opportunities for young Nigerians.

Mrs Tinubu urged NITDA to ensure that the facility, when completed, would serve innovators from across the country rather than being restricted to entrepreneurs in Abuja.

“To our young innovators, this Startup Hub is yours. You can arrive here with a sketch and leave with a working prototype that takes you into the global market space,” she declared.

She expressed optimism that the facility would become a platform for transforming innovative ideas into commercially viable products and globally competitive enterprises.

The First Lady emphasised the importance of creating an enabling environment where young Nigerians could acquire practical skills, access modern equipment, collaborate with industry experts and develop solutions to pressing societal challenges.

In his opening remarks, the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, described the project as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem and a demonstration of the growing partnership between Nigeria and Japan in digital transformation.

Inuwa said the facility would provide opportunities for young entrepreneurs to transform creativity into sustainable businesses, develop indigenous technological solutions and compete in international markets.

He disclosed that NITDA’s innovation programmes had supported more than **995 startups and contributed to the creation of over 7,596 jobs within three year, reflecting the agency’s commitment to entrepreneurship and digital economic growth.

According to him, more than 300 companies had benefited from NITDA’s digital export acceleration programme, while 1,752 women had participated in the agency’s We Elevate initiative.

The NITDA chief explained that the agency had expanded its innovation programmes beyond major commercial centres to ensure that entrepreneurs in underserved communities could participate in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.

He cited the I-Hatch programme, implemented in collaboration with JICA, as an example of how targeted partnerships could strengthen innovation capacity nationwide.

Inuwa disclosed that the programme began in 2023 as a pilot involving eight startups in Abuja before expanding to three states in 2024.

Between 2025 and early 2026, the initiative trained 333 startups across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, alongside 74 innovation hub managers.

He said the expansion demonstrated the importance of decentralising innovation opportunities and strengthening local ecosystems capable of supporting emerging businesses.

The Director-General further revealed that the Federal Government was working towards ensuring that every state had at least two functional innovation hubs where young entrepreneurs could access incubation programmes, mentorship and facilities for developing innovative products and services.

On women’s participation in the digital economy, Inuwa highlighted the Ignite Her initiative, which had trained 224 women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises.

He disclosed that 12 participants were sponsored to Japan for further exposure and business development opportunities, while one beneficiary subsequently secured a grant worth $500,000.

According to him, the outcomes of these programmes contributed to Japan’s decision to support the establishment of the Renewed Hope Startup Hub with a $10.4 million grant.

Inuwa also announced plans for a **$50 million seed funding facility for Nigerian startups**, being developed by JICA in collaboration with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

He said the funding arrangement had received the necessary approvals and had been signed off, with disbursement expected to commence once the facility became operational.

The proposed fund is intended to address financing constraints confronting early-stage businesses and provide capital to entrepreneurs with promising technological solutions.

The NITDA Director-General explained that access to financing remained a major challenge for startups, particularly those developing innovative products that required substantial investment before commercialisation.

He added that Nigeria and Japan were exploring the establishment of a structured talent pipeline to connect Nigeria’s growing pool of technology professionals with opportunities in Japan.

According to him, the proposed arrangement would leverage Nigeria’s youthful workforce and Japan’s demand for skilled professionals while strengthening knowledge exchange and international collaboration.

Also speaking, Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Hideo Suzuki, described the startup hub as part of a broader Japanese development cooperation strategy aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.

Suzuki explained that Japan’s intervention was built around three complementary priorities: institutional capacity development, access to early-stage financing and investment in innovation infrastructure.

He said Japanese experts had been working with NITDA and other relevant Nigerian institutions to strengthen policies, regulatory frameworks and institutional arrangements supporting technology entrepreneurship.

The ambassador also disclosed plans for an onshore startup investment fund backed by approximately $21 million in Japanese grant assistance.

According to him, the proposed investment mechanism is designed to attract additional resources from Nigerian businesses and international development partners while ensuring that funds are invested within Nigeria’s domestic economy.

Suzuki said the Renewed Hope Startup Hub would provide entrepreneurs with modern digital fabrication equipment, collaborative workspaces and facilities for developing practical technological solutions.

He identified healthcare, education and agriculture among the sectors expected to benefit from innovations emerging from the facility.

The ambassador explained that Japan’s approach to startup development emphasised long-term sustainability, industrial capacity and solutions to social challenges rather than short-term financial returns.

He described the initiative as part of Japan’s wider commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic diversification, digital transformation and industrial development.

Suzuki further disclosed that Nigeria had been selected as Japan’s first global partner under its new development cooperation framework, known as the **Co-Creation for Common Agenda initiative**.

He said the framework would provide opportunities for deeper cooperation between both countries in addressing development challenges through technology, innovation and institutional partnerships.

In his remarks, JICA’s representative in Nigeria, Ishigame Keiji, said the startup hub would create an enabling environment for entrepreneurs to develop, test and commercialise innovative ideas.

Keiji explained that the facility’s manufacturing-oriented infrastructure would support collaboration among government institutions, universities, research organisations, private companies and emerging entrepreneurs.

He noted that access to prototyping equipment and technical expertise would enable startups to move beyond conceptual ideas towards developing functional products capable of addressing practical challenges.

According to him, the initiative is expected to contribute to local industrial development, encourage technology transfer and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to produce innovative solutions for domestic and international markets.

The JICA representative stressed that sustained institutional collaboration would be essential to achieving the project’s objectives.

He expressed confidence in the ability of Nigerian innovators to develop scalable solutions capable of addressing social and economic challenges while creating opportunities for employment and business growth.

The foundation-laying ceremony attracted government officials, representatives of the Japanese government, development partners and stakeholders in Nigeria’s technology and innovation ecosystem.

Upon completion, NITDA is expected to oversee the operation of the Renewed Hope Startup Hub, with continued technical support from JICA.

The facility will provide infrastructure for business incubation, product development, research collaboration, mentorship and international partnerships, particularly for entrepreneurs seeking to transform innovative ideas into commercially viable enterprises.

The project represents another component of Nigeria-Japan cooperation in digital innovation, complementing existing initiatives in startup development, entrepreneurship training, access to finance and technology skills acquisition.

For NITDA, the hub is expected to strengthen efforts to build a more inclusive innovation ecosystem in which young Nigerians, regardless of their location or economic background, can access opportunities to develop technological solutions, establish sustainable businesses and participate in the global digital economy.

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The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called for a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s education system from a certificate-driven economy to one that prioritises practical skills, innovation and the application of knowledge to solve real-world problems.

Inuwa said Nigeria’s economic transformation would depend on its ability to translate scientific research into productive enterprises, technological solutions and improved livelihoods rather than focusing primarily on academic qualifications and publications.

He made the call while delivering the keynote address at the third International Biennial Conference of the College of Physical Sciences (COLPHYS 2026) at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State.

The NITDA boss, who was represented by the agency’s Director of Special Duties, Dr Aristotle Onumo, spoke on the theme, “From Scientific Discovery to National Prosperity: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence and Convergent Innovation to Transform Nigeria.”

He stressed the need for universities to break away from traditional academic silos and embrace multidisciplinary research, emerging technologies and practical problem-solving to accelerate national development.

“The future of our country will not be determined simply by how much research we produce. It will be determined by how effectively we convert research into productivity, innovation, enterprise and national prosperity,” he said.

According to him, artificial intelligence (AI) is creating opportunities for collaboration across agriculture, healthcare, environmental science, mathematics, engineering and data science, enabling researchers to develop solutions to complex national challenges.

He maintained that AI should complement human expertise and strengthen scientific discovery rather than replace researchers or undermine human judgment.

“AI does not replace science. It amplifies science,” he stated.

Using agriculture as an example, Inuwa explained that integrating agricultural science, satellite imagery, climate modelling, Internet of Things sensors and AI could help farmers make better planting decisions, detect crop diseases, optimise irrigation, reduce input waste and access improved market information.

He, however, cautioned that technology-driven solutions must reflect Nigeria’s realities, including local languages, affordability, limited internet connectivity and the specific needs of intended users.

The NITDA director-general also identified opportunities for AI applications in healthcare and climate resilience, particularly in disease surveillance, clinical decision support, flood-risk prediction and early-warning systems.

He emphasised that the deployment of such technologies must be guided by safeguards for data privacy, accountability, fairness and public trust.

Inuwa reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s digital transformation ecosystem through digital literacy, talent development, digital infrastructure, innovation and responsible technology adoption.

He cited the agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0, National Digital Literacy Framework, Digital Literacy for All initiative and the 3 Million Technical Talent programme as key interventions aimed at developing the skills required for a technology-driven economy.

He also underscored the importance of reliable internet connectivity, quality datasets, secure cloud environments, adequate computing resources and dependable electricity in enabling universities and research institutions to compete globally and develop locally relevant innovations.

The NITDA chief called for stronger partnerships among government, academia, industry, investors and entrepreneurs to ensure that promising research progresses from academic findings to commercial products and solutions capable of delivering measurable benefits.

Addressing higher education institutions, he urged universities to redefine their measures of success by placing greater emphasis on research impact, collaborative problem-solving, entrepreneurship and the ability of graduates to create opportunities rather than merely seek employment.

“The university of the future cannot remain merely a place where knowledge is transmitted, and certificates are awarded. It must become a place where problems are investigated, solutions are developed, enterprises are created, and society is transformed,” he said.

He encouraged universities to strengthen technology transfer mechanisms, establish effective research-industry partnerships, expand entrepreneurship education and connect innovation hubs to market and community needs.

He further challenged researchers to move beyond publishing academic papers to developing working prototypes, conducting field tests and producing sustainable goods and services that address pressing national challenges.

Inuwa also advised students to complement their academic qualifications with digital and AI literacy, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, ethical judgment and practical problem-solving skills.

“Your certificate may open the door, but your capability will determine how far you go,” he said.

He urged students to use emerging technologies not merely to reproduce existing knowledge but to investigate difficult questions, explore new possibilities and develop solutions to challenges affecting their communities.

As part of efforts to translate research into measurable outcomes, the NITDA director-general proposed a 12-month innovation agenda for FUNAAB’s College of Physical Sciences and its partners.

Under the proposal, the college would identify selected high-impact national challenges within the first 90 days, establish collaborative research teams and begin developing prototypes within six months, test promising solutions with communities and industry partners within nine months, and organise a research-to-impact showcase within 12 months.

He said progress should be measured through validated prototypes, effective partnerships, commercialisation opportunities and demonstrable societal benefits rather than speeches and presentations.

Inuwa also encouraged the conference organisers to build on the technical sessions and proposal-writing workshop to develop fundable, collaborative research projects.

He expressed NITDA’s readiness to explore structured partnerships with academic and research institutions in areas aligned with its mandate, particularly digital skills, responsible AI, indigenous innovation and practical applications of emerging technologies.

He added that successful partnerships must be built around clearly defined problems and credible implementation plans.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Professor Olusola Babatunde, represented by the Dean of the College of Environmental Resources Management, Professor Olusegun Oguntoke, commended NITDA for its contributions to Nigeria’s digital transformation.

Babatunde appealed for the establishment of an Information Technology hub at the university, saying the facility would strengthen its digital capacity, support research and innovation, and provide students and researchers with an enabling environment to develop practical, technology-driven solutions.

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with the SATH Foundation, is advancing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s technology ecosystem through the Nigeria Tech Outlook, an initiative designed to guide investment, inform policymaking and accelerate technology adoption across key sectors of the economy.

The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, highlighted the initiative at the Tech Outlook in Lagos, emphasising the need to translate Nigeria’s wealth of technology talent, innovative ideas and entrepreneurial achievements into a globally competitive innovation ecosystem.

He noted that although Nigerian innovators and technology companies have achieved significant success, individual accomplishments alone cannot guarantee global competitiveness. A stronger ecosystem requires reliable digital infrastructure, supportive policies, strategic investments and collaboration among government, industry leaders, investors and innovators.

According to him, the Nigeria Tech Outlook will provide evidence-based insights into the country’s technology landscape, helping stakeholders understand the level of technology access, adoption and its contribution to productivity across the economy. The first edition of the report will examine five sectors: financial services, telecommunications, commerce and trade, government services, and healthcare.

Highlighting the importance of research in identifying market opportunities, Inuwa disclosed that more than 80 per cent of over 2,000 Nigerians surveyed expressed willingness to use telemedicine services, while fewer than 20 per cent had ever used them. He explained that such findings could help investors identify underserved markets, encourage innovators to develop relevant solutions and guide policymakers in addressing barriers to technology adoption.

The Tech Outlook will also examine emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, alongside digital trust and governance, cybersecurity, data privacy, cloud computing and digital infrastructure. These areas are expected to inform discussions on how Nigeria can strengthen its technological capabilities and expand the adoption of digital solutions across critical sectors.

Inuwa stressed that technology policies and regulations must be grounded in research and industry realities rather than assumptions. He called on industry leaders to contribute their expertise to reviewing the findings and identifying practical interventions that would support investment, innovation and economic growth.

The initiative is expected to provide government with insights for evidence-based policymaking, businesses with a clearer understanding of technology adoption gaps, investors with information to guide investment decisions, and innovators with opportunities to develop solutions to pressing national challenges.

The first edition of the Nigeria Tech Outlook is scheduled for launch at the Digital Nigeria International Conference. Through the collaboration between NITDA and the SATH Foundation, the initiative seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s technology intelligence, unlock new investment opportunities and position the country to build a globally competitive innovation ecosystem driven by research, collaboration and homegrown solutions.

On his part, the founder of SATH Foundation, Collins Onuegbe, said that technology has become central to Nigeria’s economic and social development, transforming how people work, trade, communicate, learn and access public services.

He added that digital innovation is reshaping business operations, government engagement, security, productivity and national competitiveness.

Onuegbe noted that conducting the assessment annually would create institutional memory, enabling stakeholders to track progress, evaluate existing priorities and build a stronger evidence base for decisions concerning the country’s digital future.

He emphasised that the gathering should move beyond speeches to encourage meaningful engagement and actionable outcomes that support Nigeria’s technology development, economic growth and national competitiveness.

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By Mumeenah Oyindamola Abdulrahman,

A few days ago, one of the notable headlines in the tech world caught my attention: “Turkey Bans Social Media Use for Children Under 15.”

Following the announcement, it published regulations prohibiting social media platforms from providing services to children under 15, with the restrictions scheduled to take effect on November 1. The rules require platforms to implement age-verification systems using government-issued digital tokens. They also introduce additional restrictions for teenage users aged 15 to 17.

Turkey’s decision reflects a growing global debate about children’s safety in the digital world, as countries introduce or consider stricter age restrictions. But beyond the headlines, this development raises a question worth discussing: Is restricting children’s access to social media the best way to protect them, or could it also limit their opportunities to learn, connect and grow in an increasingly digital world?

The Turkish government may view age restrictions as a practical way to protect children from the dangers of social media. The internet can be a rabbit hole that is easy to enter but difficult to leave. Its risks include cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, manipulation by predatory adults, misinformation, online scams and the commercial exploitation of children’s personal data. Excessive screen time and platform features designed to encourage prolonged engagement are additional concerns.

Although adults can also experience many of these risks, children may be less equipped to recognise manipulation, assess the credibility of information or understand the long-term consequences of sharing personal information online. Governments, parents and technology companies therefore have a responsibility to make digital spaces safer for young users.

Let us bring this discussion closer to home. Research into Nigerian teenagers’ digital lives has found that 63.7% of surveyed teenagers, mostly aged 14 to 18 in urban and peri-urban areas, owned their own mobile phones. For many Nigerians, smartphones and mobile data are the main gateways to the internet, particularly where computers, tablets and reliable broadband are less accessible. Social media has also evolved beyond sharing pictures and following trends. It can connect people across geographical boundaries and provide access to educational resources, technology communities, scholarships and career opportunities.

As a computer science student exploring cybersecurity, I recognise the value of digital learning opportunities. Online platforms can help students discover technical concepts, follow developments in the industry and connect with like-minded people who share their interests.

Imagine a young Nigerian who discovers programming through an online video or learns about cybersecurity through a technology community. Restricting access to social media could also restrict one of the pathways through which that student discovers a future career.

Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and technology ecosystem continue to develop, but access to devices, reliable internet and digital education remains uneven. Before adopting a similar restriction, Nigeria would need to consider how it could be implemented fairly and how it might affect children who depend on online resources for learning.

I find it difficult to view social media as entirely good or entirely bad. The same internet that exposes people to scams can teach them how to recognise phishing attempts. The same platforms that encourage distraction can provide access to educational content.

This contradiction is especially relevant to cybersecurity. We cannot expect young people to become digitally responsible without teaching them to recognise online risks and respond to them. Avoiding every online threat is not the same as knowing how to navigate the digital world safely.

A blanket restriction might reduce some children’s exposure to social media, but it does not automatically develop digital literacy. Children still need guidance on privacy, online conduct, misinformation and protecting personal information. Restriction alone cannot replace education.

Turkey’s approach also raises important technical questions. How can platforms verify a user’s age without collecting unnecessary personal information? Could age-verification systems create new privacy and security risks if poorly implemented? And who should be accountable if personal data is exposed or misused?

Government-issued tokens may allow platforms to verify whether a user meets an age threshold without receiving their full identity details. However, the privacy benefits depend on how the system is designed, secured and monitored.

Technology companies could also introduce safer default settings for younger users, stronger parental controls, limits on disruptive notifications and more effective reporting systems. Schools and families can complement these measures by teaching children how to navigate digital spaces responsibly.

These approaches will not eliminate every risk, but they could improve online safety without automatically excluding young people from valuable digital resources.

I support protecting children online, but I am not convinced that a blanket ban should be the default solution for every country. Nigeria needs to consider its educational needs, digital infrastructure and the realities of young people who depend on mobile internet for learning and opportunity.

The goal should not simply be to keep children away from technology, but to create an environment where they can benefit from it without being unnecessarily exposed to harm. This requires cooperation between governments, technology companies, parents, schools and young people themselves.

Ultimately, the question is bigger than whether children should be allowed on social media. It is about the kind of digital future we want to build for them.

If technology is becoming an essential part of education, communication and work, shouldn’t we focus just as much on teaching children to use it safely as we do on deciding when they can access it?

The post Should Children Be Banned From Social Media? By Mumeenah Oyindamola Abdulrahman appeared first on Tech Digest News.

Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential, has formally presented the prestigious International Public Relations Association (IPRA) Golden World Awards to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), following their collaborative success at the 2026 awards ceremony in Athens, Greece.

The presentation, held in Abuja, celebrated the international recognition earned by the organisations for advancing artificial intelligence, digital innovation and strategic communication within Nigeria’s crisis‑management ecosystem.

The award‑winning campaign, “From Study to Strategy,” secured Golden World Awards in the AI in Crisis Communication and Publication categories. IMPR also clinched the coveted Grand Prix, the highest honour at the annual IPRA awards, recognising the campaign as the overall best entry of 2026.

The achievement adds to IMPR’s growing international profile. The multi‑award‑winning PR firm was named the Most Creative PR Agency Worldwide in the Global Creative Index by PRovoke Media in 2020 and won the IPRA Grand Prix in Greece in 2026, cementing its reputation as one of the world’s most innovative public‑relations agencies.

Presenting the trophies, IMPR CEO Yushau A. Shuaib said the awards demonstrate the power of research‑driven communication and interagency collaboration. He explained that the winning campaign originated from a research project examining the application of artificial intelligence in crisis communication across Nigeria’s public sector.

Shuaib, a Fellow of IPRA (FIPRA) commended CCC for endorsing the research, which later informed the National Symposium on Digital Innovations in Crisis Communication, bringing together stakeholders from government institutions, security agencies, the tech sector and communication professionals.

He noted that insights from the engagements contributed to the development of the Crisis Communication Hub (CCH)—a digital platform designed to strengthen coordinated responses to emerging communication threats through monitoring, research, information‑sharing and institutional collaboration.

According to him, the campaign showed how academic research can be transformed into practical communication strategies with measurable national relevance.

Receiving the awards, NITDA Director‑General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi praised IMPR and CCC for the partnership that produced the internationally recognised campaign. He described the multiple awards—especially the Grand Prix—as evidence of what institutions can achieve when they combine technological innovation with effective public communication.

Inuwa reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to supporting digital transformation and strengthening the capacity of public institutions to deploy emerging technologies responsibly. He emphasised the importance of leveraging AI and digital tools to improve efficiency, enhance information management and respond effectively to modern communication challenges.

Chairman of the Centre for Crisis Communication, Major General Chris Olukolade (rtd.), congratulated IMPR and NITDA, describing the awards as recognition of sustained collaboration in promoting innovative approaches to crisis communication.

Olukolade appreciated NITDA’s consistent support for CCC programmes, including initiatives aimed at improving institutional preparedness, strategic communication and stakeholder coordination during crises.

He also acknowledged NITDA’s support for the forthcoming Second National Symposium on Crisis Communication, scheduled for October 27–28, 2026 in Kaduna. The symposium will focus on interagency collaboration and provide a platform for examining how institutions can strengthen coordination in managing crises and safeguarding public confidence.

Leaders of NITDA and CCC commended IMPR for its professional accomplishments and growing international recognition in public relations, crisis communication and strategic media engagement.

The 2026 Golden World Awards add to IMPR’s expanding list of global honours, including previous IPRA awards and SABRE Africa recognitions. The Grand Prix distinction is particularly significant, as it identifies the overall best campaign among all award‑winning entries worldwide.

For the collaborating organisations, the success of “From Study to Strategy” underscores the value of connecting research with policy engagement, professional communication and institutional capacity development.

They reaffirmed their commitment to advancing artificial intelligence, digital innovation and crisis communication—while strengthening public‑information management and Nigeria’s preparedness for emerging communication challenges.

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