NITDA: Empowering Ondo State for a Digital Future

NITDA: Empowering Ondo State for a Digital Future

TECH DIGEST- In a keynote address titled “Tech-Forward Ondo,” Kashifu Inuwa, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), emphasized the critical need for Ondo State to equip its residents with digital skills and provide essential digital infrastructure to actively participate in the global digital economy. Speaking at the Develop Ondo 2.1 virtual summit, organized by the state’s Ministry of Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations, Inuwa underscored the importance of preparing the workforce for tomorrow’s jobs.

Represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, the acting director of the Corporate Planning and Strategy Department at NITDA, Inuwa urged the state government to prioritize education and invest in building digital skills to empower the workforce. He highlighted the significance of creating efficient safety nets to support digital transactions and compete effectively in the digital economy.

Recognizing Ondo State’s abundant human capital, Inuwa stressed that digital transformation would only be impactful if the population is prepared and ready to engage in the global digital landscape. He emphasized the continuous evolution of technology, urging the state government to adopt new technologies and leverage them to their advantage.

Inuwa proposed several strategies for Ondo State to thrive in the digital era, including the creation of a technological hub similar to “Yaba” in Akure, fostering public-private partnerships for digital talent development, adopting the National Digital Literacy Framework for the state’s education curriculum, organizing innovation challenges for startups, engaging diaspora communities to mentor startups, and building essential digital infrastructure.

He urged the state to consider collaborating with NITDA to drive digital innovation and entrepreneurship, expanding the pool of talented innovators and creating job opportunities within the domestic economy. Inuwa applauded the state and the summit organizers for their initiative, describing it as a “momentous event” aimed at exploring the vast opportunities offered by digitization and technological innovation. As Ondo State charts its course in the digital landscape, the call to prioritize skills, infrastructure, and innovation resonates as a key strategy for sustainable growth and competitiveness in the global digital economy.