The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has commenced efforts to standardize innovation hubs across Nigeria as part of measures to decentralize the country’s technology ecosystem and create more opportunities for innovators, entrepreneurs and startups outside major technology centres such as Lagos and Abuja.

The agency disclosed this at the National Innovation Hub Standards Framework Technical Validation Workshop held on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja.

The workshop brought together innovation hub owners, investors, development partners, government representatives and other stakeholders to review and validate the proposed National Innovation Hub Standards Framework.

Speaking at the event, NITDA’s Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, described the framework as a major step towards ensuring that innovation is more evenly distributed across the country.

According to him, innovation thrives within an ecosystem and such ecosystems must be deliberately designed and strengthened to enable innovators to transform ideas into impactful businesses.

“Today for me marks a remarkable milestone in our journey of making innovation to be evenly distributed in Nigeria,” Abdullahi said.

He explained that innovation hubs have increasingly become important orchestrators of technology ecosystems, providing spaces where innovators, students and entrepreneurs can develop ideas, access support and move their solutions from conception to market.

The NITDA boss said the proposed framework was not intended to be prescriptive, but rather to provide guidance that would help hubs assess their capabilities, identify gaps and develop pathways towards maturity.

He noted that Nigeria has more than 339 innovation hubs, but that many of them are concentrated in Lagos, Abuja and a handful of other states.

Abdullahi said the uneven distribution of hubs and ecosystem support meant that talented Nigerians in other parts of the country were often forced to travel to established technology centres to access opportunities.

He stressed that every state has its own pool of talent, challenges and economic strengths that could be harnessed to develop locally relevant innovations.

“We don’t need to build Yaba Tech everywhere. Every state is unique. We can look at the problems around each state and the strengths of each state to build on that,” he said.

The framework, he added, would provide hubs with a pathway for growth and maturity through seven key dimensions and about 35 assessment categories, enabling operators to understand their current position and identify areas requiring improvement.

Kashifu urged stakeholders participating in the validation exercise to provide constructive feedback, stressing that the document was an initial draft rather than a final framework.

He also called for stronger collaboration between innovation hubs, government, investors, large corporations, development partners and academic institutions.

According to him, the ecosystem requires talent, entrepreneurs, risk-capital providers and large corporate organisations that can provide markets for innovative products, while government should focus on creating the right policies and enabling environment.

He particularly identified the weak connection between academia and industry as one of the major gaps in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.

The NITDA DG disclosed that the Federal Government was already working with the Ministry of Education to integrate digital skills into formal education, with the aim of producing graduates equipped with the capabilities required to build and scale businesses.

Also speaking, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said Nigeria had developed a clear understanding of the role technology must play in transforming the economy and improving the competitiveness of different sectors.

Tijani said technology was critical to the development of sectors including agriculture, education and healthcare, adding that Nigeria’s digital transformation strategy could be understood through three interconnected layers.

He identified the first as the foundational layer, comprising infrastructure such as fibre-optic networks, satellites, telecommunications towers and data centres.

The second, he explained, was the technology stack, which includes systems such as digital identity, data exchange and interbank settlement infrastructure that allow innovators to build solutions.

The third layer, he said, comprises the applications and businesses created by innovators to solve societal and economic problems.

Tijani cited Nigeria’s telecommunications liberalisation, the development of the interbank settlement system and the Bank Verification Number (BVN) as examples of foundational and middle-layer investments that helped create an environment for the emergence of a strong fintech ecosystem.

He argued that Nigeria’s success in producing technology unicorns was partly linked to deliberate government and industry investment in the infrastructure and systems that enabled innovators to build at scale.

The minister said the Federal Government was now intensifying investment in the digital foundation, including plans to deploy about 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure.

According to him, the project, which is expected to commence in October, will significantly expand broadband connectivity across the country.

He added that the government was also planning to deploy about 3,700 telecommunications towers in underserved communities, noting that more than 20 million Nigerians still live in areas without adequate telecommunications access.

Tijani further highlighted the importance of Nigeria’s communication satellite in reaching locations where terrestrial infrastructure would be difficult to deploy, while noting ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s identity infrastructure and other digital systems.

However, the minister stressed that investment in infrastructure and digital platforms would not achieve its full potential without corresponding investment in the innovation hubs and community spaces where entrepreneurs develop their ideas.

Drawing from his previous experience in the technology ecosystem, Tijani said innovation hubs require adequate resources to recruit skilled personnel capable of providing quality support to entrepreneurs.

He cited CcHub as an example of what could be achieved when innovation ecosystems receive the necessary support, arguing that improving the quality of hubs across Nigeria could unlock new technology companies and entrepreneurs from different parts of the country.

“If we have all the hubs in Nigeria at the same level of quality as CcHub, or let’s say 50%, there’ll be more tech companies not just from Lagos, but from across the country,” he said.

Tijani said strengthening hubs in states such as Uyo, Calabar and other emerging technology centres could help create businesses, generate employment and expand Nigeria’s tax base.

He maintained that building a larger and more diversified economy would require Nigeria to support technology-driven businesses capable of operating beyond the traditional oil and gas sector.

Meanwhile, the National Coordinator of the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), Victoria Fabumi, described the proposed framework as an instrument for strengthening the capacity of innovation hubs to support startups.

Fabumi likened startups to “babies” that require nurturing, while describing innovation hubs as the “mothers” responsible for providing the support necessary for their growth.

She said the framework was designed to strengthen the hubs so they could provide entrepreneurs with the required support to develop sustainable businesses and deliver impact at scale.

According to her, the framework would also help ensure that innovation is no longer concentrated in urban centres but becomes more widespread across the country.

She expressed optimism that the initiative would help produce innovative solutions from states such as Zamfara, Yobe, Osun and Jigawa, among others, thereby contributing to the Federal Government’s economic development agenda.

The validation workshop therefore marked another step in NITDA’s efforts to build a more coordinated, inclusive and mature innovation ecosystem in Nigeria, with stakeholders expected to contribute their expertise towards refining the framework before its final adoption and implementation.

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Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani unveiled the initiative on Thursday during the opening session of the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26) in Abuja.

Vice President Kashim Shettima attended the event as Special Guest of Honour.

Speaking at the conference, Tijani said the ATLAS Network builds on Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence Language and Translation Alliance (N-ATLAS) and will bring together governments, researchers, academic institutions, innovators and ecosystem partners to develop AI systems that better reflect Africa’s languages, cultures and knowledge systems.

According to the minister, fewer than two per cent of Africa’s languages are meaningfully supported by modern AI systems despite the continent accounting for nearly one-third of the world’s languages.

He said the new initiative expands Nigeria’s existing programme into a continental framework and invited African countries to participate in the collaborative platform.

Tijani also urged member states to strengthen regional cooperation and present a united position on global digital policy.

“Africa must arrive prepared, united and credible. We must continue to invest in technical preparation, strengthen regional cooperation and speak with one voice where our interests align,” he said.

“Where global digital rules are being shaped, Africa must be ready to participate and help shape outcomes that affect our people, our economies and our future.”

Representing Vice President Shettima, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, said Africa must play a more active role in shaping global technology policies.

He noted that Nigeria remains committed to strengthening its contributions within the African Telecommunications Union and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), adding that the country would continue working to ensure African priorities are reflected in global digital governance.

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The directive was announced in a statement issued by the Minister following a strategic meeting with the leadership of the three agencies.

According to Tijani, the rapid evolution of Nigeria’s digital economy has resulted in areas where the mandates of sector regulators increasingly overlap, making coordinated policymaking necessary.

He said greater regulatory alignment is required to promote legal certainty, encourage investment, strengthen consumer confidence and support Nigeria’s ambition of becoming Africa’s leading digital economy.

Under the directive, existing regulatory arrangements relating to internet platforms and online intermediaries will remain in place while the harmonisation process continues.

The Minister also instructed the agencies to defer the implementation or enforcement of recently introduced regulations, guidelines, frameworks and administrative requirements relating to internet platforms and other cross-cutting digital economy matters currently under review.

He clarified that the directive does not affect responsibilities that fall squarely within each agency’s statutory mandate under existing laws.

As part of the process, the Ministry will establish a Joint Technical Coordination Committee comprising representatives of the NCC, NITDA and NDPC under the supervision of the Minister’s office.

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Tijani disclosed this at the National Digital Alphanumeric Postcode System Workshop held in collaboration with the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST).

The workshop, themed “Operationalising the Nigerian Digital Postcode for National Security and Public Safety,” brought together representatives of security agencies, emergency response institutions, government ministries and development partners to discuss the implementation of the new system.

According to the minister, the initiative will assign a unique digital code to every building in Nigeria, including properties located in rural communities.

“The first set of locations, areas and states will be released in October this year, and I am pushing them hard to ensure that we cover a significant number of states before the end of the year,” Tijani said.

He described the project as a critical component of Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure, noting that reliable location data is increasingly essential for economic growth and digital transformation.

The minister said the digital postcode system would improve emergency response, enhance public safety, support logistics operations, facilitate e-commerce activities and strengthen government service delivery.

“The future we are building is one where every incident, every facility, every operation and every response in Nigeria is anchored on a single, trusted location layer. When that happens, coordination becomes instantaneous, accountability becomes traceable and response becomes precise,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, NIPOST Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer, Tola Odeyemi, said the absence of accurate and consistent addressing systems has long hindered investigations, emergency response efforts and service delivery across the country.

She explained that the new Digital Alphanumeric Postcode System would provide trusted location intelligence by assigning every location in Nigeria a unique GIS-enabled code that can be identified and verified across institutions.

“The Digital Postcode provides trusted location intelligence, the critical layer that allows people, assets, services and institutions to be accurately located and connected,” Odeyemi said.

She added that the success of the initiative would depend largely on widespread adoption by public institutions and private sector stakeholders.

The development follows the approval by the Federal Executive Council in March 2026 for the implementation of the digital postcode system.

Nigeria currently operates a traditional six-digit postal code system used primarily for mail sorting and delivery. However, many areas across the country lack clearly defined street names, house numbers and verifiable location data, creating challenges for logistics providers, emergency services and digital platforms.

The new GIS-enabled system is expected to address these limitations by assigning precise digital locations to individual properties, supporting more efficient mail delivery, logistics operations, ride-hailing services and other location-based digital services.

As Nigeria’s digital economy continues to expand, government officials say the availability of accurate geospatial data will become increasingly important for economic planning, public safety and technology-driven innovation.

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The minister made the call during the commissioning and handover of the Renewed Hope–NITDA Innovation Hub at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife. The facility, established by National Information Technology Development Agency in partnership with the Renewed Hope Initiative, is equipped with laboratories dedicated to Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Additive Manufacturing and the Internet of Things.

Addressing students, academics, alumni and other stakeholders, Tijani described the hub as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future, stressing that its impact would depend on how effectively it is utilised.

“Innovation does not come from buildings; innovation comes from people,” he said, noting that the university had produced generations of innovators and leaders long before the establishment of the new facility.

According to the minister, the innovation hub was designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical application by providing students with a platform to experiment, build and transform ideas into real-world solutions.

He observed that access to knowledge is no longer a major challenge for students in the digital age, as information is readily available online. However, he said the real challenge lies in applying that knowledge to solve problems and create value.

Tijani encouraged students to take advantage of the facility’s resources to develop innovative solutions that address societal challenges and contribute to national development. He also urged the university community to ensure that the hub remains accessible and fully utilised.

The minister emphasised that Nigeria’s ambition to build a thriving digital economy depends largely on the ability of young people to innovate and create technology-driven solutions.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, A. S. Bamire, expressed appreciation to Tijani and the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, for their continued support of the institution’s digital transformation efforts.

Bamire highlighted several interventions by the minister, including the donation of 50 laptops to students, a $1,000 support fund for student innovators and plans to deploy a 30-kilometre fibre-optic network to improve internet connectivity across the university.

He also commended NITDA for providing digital infrastructure and innovation facilities that have strengthened the university’s capacity for technology-driven learning, research and innovation.

The Renewed Hope–NITDA Innovation Hub is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, expand digital skills development and equip young Nigerians with the tools needed to compete in the global digital economy.

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By James Ishaku,

Nigeria’s drive toward a fully digital economy is gathering pace as the Federal Government intensifies work on e-governance and digital economy bill to strengthen the regulatory framework for emerging technologies and boost public sector innovation.

At the Global Partnership for Human-Centric ICT Standardisation (GIST) Nigeria Introductory Stakeholder Workshop in Abuja, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa representing the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani said the country has moved beyond strategy design to implementation of its national Artificial Intelligence (AI) roadmap.

He noted that the current phase focuses on developing clear guidelines and regulatory frameworks to ensure AI deployment aligns with ethical standards, accountability, and strong safeguards.

As part of the broader digital transformation agenda, the government is also advancing data classification efforts to ensure the availability of clean, reliable datasets for AI training. In parallel, it is promoting cloud adoption across public institutions to enhance efficiency, scalability, and service delivery.

Inuwa stressed the importance of a “cloud-first” policy, warning that continued dependence on premise systems could slow large scale digital transformation. However, he added that cloud integration would be approached cautiously to safeguard Nigeria’s digital sovereignty and protect critical national data.

Progress is also being recorded in the e-governance space, with the development of an interoperability framework and the Nigerian Government Enterprise Architecture. Additionally, work is ongoing on a data exchange platform to support Government Statistics Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), aimed at improving data sharing and coordination among Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

The initiative is expected to harmonise public sector digital projects while creating opportunities for private sector participation.

Inuwa stressed the need for stronger collaboration among government, industry, and other stakeholders to build resilient digital infrastructure. He expressed confidence that the proposed legislation and related initiatives would enhance Nigeria’s standing in digital governance while promoting innovation, transparency, and inclusive growth.

Earlier, the European Commission’s Team Leader for Digital Governance, Peter Marien DG INTPA, highlighted the role of international cooperation in shaping global digital standards. He said the European Union’s digital strategy prioritises partnerships and ecosystem alignment across regions, including Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Marien referenced a recent engagement in Brussels on e-governance, organised with Smart Africa, which included participation from NITDA. He described Nigeria’s involvement in the GIST initiative as a strong signal of its commitment to global digital governance.

He emphasised the EU’s focus on a human-centric digital ecosystem that prioritises inclusivity, privacy, and security, noting that its 27 member states have, over two decades, built a cohesive digital framework centred on citizens.

Marien also identified Nigeria as a strategic player in Africa’s quest for a unified digital market, highlighting its role in advancing cross-border digital integration.

According to him, standards serve as the “invisible backbone” of modern societies, supporting critical systems across sectors. He said the GIST platform enables alignment of technical standards and fosters knowledge exchange between regions.

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IHS committed N2.5 billion for infrastructure and community support, MTN provided N1.45 billion for training and devices plus N1.5 billion in data, while Airtel pledged N1 billion to support the NextGen initiative.

According to the ministry, the programme has already unlocked more than 15,000 jobs, with beneficiaries earning an average of N250,000 per month. Over N400 million in prizes has also been awarded, while the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme is helping graduates navigate the job market.

President Bola Tinubu, represented by SGF George Akume, said the programme reflects his administration’s commitment to expanding digital opportunity nationwide. He noted that over 1.8 million Nigerians applied, and the first two cohorts—300,000 participants—represent a significant step toward the four-year target.

The government also acknowledged support from partners including Google, Microsoft, Huawei, Moniepoint, UNDP and the EU.

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The Federal Government has unveiled the 3MTT NextGen Fellowship, marking another key milestone in its drive to make Nigeria a net exporter of technology talent.

Announcing the initiative on his X handle, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, said the new cohort—supported by Airtel—will equip young Nigerians from the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme with digital skills, mentorship and real-world learning opportunities to thrive in today’s innovation-driven economy.

He urged interested applicants to visit nextgen.3mttnigeria.com to join the next phase of the 3MTT journey.

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By Oluwole Alao

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to building a sustainable, inclusive, and globally competitive digital economy, calling on stakeholders across sectors to work together to achieve Nigeria’s digital transformation goals.

Delivering his keynote address at the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition 2025 in Abuja, Dr Tijani described the annual gathering as more than a conventional technology conference. According to him, Digital Nigeria serves as a national platform for dialogue, collaboration, and actionable strategies that will shape the country’s future in the digital era.

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to Digital Nigeria 2025, something I consider to be a dialogue, but also collaboration and action towards building a sustainable, inclusive, and globally competitive digital economy for our nation. This event reminds us of what digital truly means for our past as a people, our present reality, and the future we are striving to build,” he mentioned.

Dr Tijani took the audience on a reflective journey through Nigeria’s digital history, noting that the liberalisation of the telecommunications industry in 1999 was a bold, transformative decision that changed the trajectory of the nation’s economy.

Before the policy reform, he recalled, only a handful of Nigerian families had access to telephones, and making international calls required visiting special centres and waiting in long queues.

“That decision marked the beginning of a new economy built on ideas and innovation. The introduction of mobile connectivity reshaped how Nigerians live, work, and connect, fuelling a digital revolution that continues to expand opportunities for millions,” the Minister explained.

He emphasised that the ripple effect of that single reform continues to be felt across sectors and further noted that the digital economy now contributes about 18 percent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a clear demonstration of the sector’s growing importance as a driver of national growth and economic diversification.

He also highlighted Nigeria’s global leadership in financial technology (fintech) innovation, citing the country’s advanced digital payment systems and thriving startup ecosystem.

“Today, Nigeria boasts one of the most efficient and responsive payment systems in the world. Transactions that take hours or even days elsewhere are completed instantly here. This innovation has produced five of Africa’s nine technology unicorns, companies each valued at over a billion dollars,” Tijani stated.

According to the Minister, such achievements underscore the power of visionary leadership and enabling policies, which have positioned Nigeria as a major player in Africa’s digital and innovation landscape.

He praised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for embedding technology and innovation as key pillars of the Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in driving inclusivity, youth empowerment, and economic diversification.

Dr Tijani stressed that the government’s focus is not only on technology adoption but also on creating a digital culture that empowers citizens to become producers, not just consumers, of technology.

“Digital Nigeria 2025 is not about technology for its own sake. It’s about people, about ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of background or location, can benefit from and contribute to our digital future,” he said.

He urged participants to seize the opportunity of the three-day conference to network, exchange ideas, and forge meaningful partnerships that would translate discussions into real solutions.

“This is the time to reflect, strategise, and act. The vision is clear, a nation built on prosperity, inclusion, and competitiveness, powered by innovation,” he concluded.

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has hailed the successful conclusion of the 18th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV 2025) as a landmark moment for Nigeria’s digital economy aspirations, citing its direct contribution to research excellence, global collaboration and the nation’s ongoing digital transformation agenda.

Hosted in Abuja under the patronage of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ICEGOV 2025 convened global experts for four days of rigorous debate, innovative research presentations, and high-impact partnerships, a convergence that NITDA says aligns closely with the President’s redefined priority area of accelerating economic diversification through industrialisation and digitisation.

The conference, a United Nations University (UNU-EGOV) initiative founded in 2007, brought together academia, industry leaders, civil society, development institutions and government actors to shape the future of electronic governance. This year’s edition placed Nigeria at the center of global digital discourse, showcasing the country’s rising intellectual and technological capacity.

A total of 151 scientific papers were submitted by 308 authors from 33 countries, with emerging economies accounting for 68% of participating scholars, a clear sign of the conference’s inclusive reach. Nigeria led global submissions with 102 authors, followed by Brazil, India, Portugal and Greece.

NITDA emphasised that this strong participation reflects the Agency’s decade-long investment in digital talent development, research funding and ecosystem strengthening, which are investments that are already translating into local and international recognition.

The conference also honoured outstanding research through its Best Paper Awards. Notably, Robert Ifeonu of the Central Bank of Nigeria earned the top award in the Research category for his paper “Micro-Transformation Framework for Public Sector Innovation: Catalysing Resilient, Outcome-Driven Digital Governance.” This, NITDA noted, underscores Nigeria’s emerging leadership in developing home-grown digital governance models capable of driving socio-economic impact.

In her closing remarks, Professor Delfina Soares, Director of UNU-EGOV, extended appreciation to NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, for his early endorsement and strategic leadership in bringing ICEGOV to Abuja. She noted that the local partnerships and sponsorships facilitated by NITDA significantly enhanced the conference’s global value and strengthened Africa’s position in digital governance research.

Speaking on the event’s economic and strategic implications, NITDA affirmed that hosting ICEGOV 2025 delivered multiple layers of value, from boosting Nigeria’s reputation as a digital innovation hub to fostering partnerships that will stimulate new investments, research collaborations and capacity-building programmes.

The Agency added that insights and tools shared during the conference will further accelerate the actualisation of its digital transformation agenda, strengthen public sector efficiency and support the Federal Government’s commitment to economic diversification through digitisation and industrialisation. The knowledge exchange from ICEGOV, it said, will catalyse improved service delivery, enhanced regulatory frameworks and the deepening of Nigeria’s knowledge-driven economy.

As delegates departed Abuja carrying new research linkages and strategic commitments, NITDA reaffirmed its readiness to sustain the momentum, ensuring that Nigeria not only participates in global digital governance conversations but also shapes them.

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