Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, disclosed this during an engagement with Ericsson at the GITEX Africa 2026 in Morocco.

Inuwa said the country’s digital strategy is focused on safeguarding national interests and achieving long-term technological independence, rather than aligning with global geopolitical rivalries.

He explained that Nigeria is developing high-standard regulatory policies aimed at improving digital integration while ensuring that critical infrastructure remains under domestic control.

According to him, the approach is not designed to exclude global technology providers but to promote balanced collaboration that enables local value creation.

“We are not saying we are banning hyperscalers from coming. We want them to come, work with local partners, create value in Africa, and let us capture that value here,” he said.

Inuwa noted that Nigeria’s policy direction mirrors global trends, citing frameworks such as the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, Digital Services Act and Data Governance Act as examples of regions asserting control over their digital ecosystems.

He added that Nigeria has already classified digital infrastructure as critical national infrastructure through executive orders, although building a fully sovereign system will require sustained effort.

A key objective, he said, is to ensure that data generated within the country is protected and that local talent contributes to the development of digital intelligence and innovation.

Inuwa also highlighted the need to avoid historical patterns where Africa contributes raw materials and data without benefiting from value-added industries, stressing that the current digital transformation must prioritise local ownership and economic participation.

Discussions are also ongoing around data ownership, particularly in emerging technologies where control of machine-generated data is expected to play a significant role in future regulation.

On the industry side, Ericsson reaffirmed its long-standing presence in Nigeria’s telecom sector. The company’s Director for Government and Policy Advocacy in Africa, Amos Haddebe, said the firm has supported the country’s evolution from 2G to 5G networks over more than five decades.

He noted that Ericsson continues to collaborate with operators such as MTN Group to advance Nigeria’s digital transformation.

Haddebe outlined key elements of a memorandum of understanding signed with the Nigerian government in October 2024, including the establishment of a joint innovation hub, a national hackathon, digital skills development initiatives and knowledge exchange programmes.

He added that the national hackathon, launched under the supervision of the Vice President, is already underway and will be integrated into broader innovation efforts.

Haddebe also raised concerns about increasing competition in Africa’s telecommunications sector, urging governments to treat ICT infrastructure as a matter of national security and to adopt a diversified vendor strategy to enhance resilience.

The discussions reflect Nigeria’s growing focus on digital sovereignty, strategic partnerships and the development of a secure and competitive digital economy.

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Speaking at the GITEX Africa 2026 in Morocco, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, warned that reliance on foreign-controlled digital systems could leave Africa vulnerable to external disruptions.

He described cloud infrastructure as central to modern digital life, stressing that control over data storage and processing is increasingly tied to national sovereignty and economic competitiveness.

Inuwa noted that Africa accounts for between 15 and 19 per cent of the global population but holds only about 0.6 per cent of global data centre and computing capacity, describing the disparity as both a technological and sovereignty gap.

He warned that dependence on foreign cloud providers exposes countries to risks related to data security, policy control and economic value extraction, as locally generated data is often processed and monetised outside the continent.

To address this, he advocated a coordinated regional approach, proposing a federated “cloud of clouds” system that would connect national and regional platforms into a unified, interoperable network.

Such a system, he said, would allow countries to retain control over their data while benefiting from shared infrastructure, scalability and cross-border collaboration.

Inuwa pointed to Gaia-X as a reference model, while noting that Africa must develop solutions tailored to its own context.

He emphasised that cloud sovereignty should not be seen as digital isolation but as the ability for nations to define their own standards and priorities in the digital economy.

Despite current limitations, Inuwa highlighted Africa’s growth potential, citing its youthful population, expanding internet penetration and growing startup ecosystem as key advantages.

He said building indigenous cloud infrastructure could unlock economic opportunities, including job creation, innovation and improved digital services, while strengthening the continent’s position in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data.

Inuwa concluded that achieving digital sovereignty will require collaboration among governments, private sector stakeholders and regional institutions, warning that failure to act could leave Africa marginalised in the global digital economy.

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The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, outlined the shift at the GITEX Africa 2026, warning that artificial intelligence is reshaping the nature of cyberattacks.

Speaking during a panel on cyber resilience, Inuwa described the global digital environment as being at a “critical turning point,” noting that emerging technologies are transforming both economic systems and threat landscapes.

He said cybersecurity can no longer be treated as a purely technical issue but must be seen as a strategic priority for national development, requiring a multi-dimensional response involving governance, institutions and citizens.

According to Inuwa, Nigeria’s strategy is increasingly focused on human capacity, citing data that suggests up to 95 per cent of cybersecurity breaches are linked to human error. He stressed that even the most advanced technological systems are ineffective if users are compromised.

To address this, the government has launched a National Digital Literacy Programme aimed at achieving 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030, with an interim target of 70 per cent by 2027. The initiative incorporates cybersecurity awareness and safe digital practices.

He also highlighted the “3 Million Tech Talent” programme, designed to build expertise in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and data science, while promoting innovation through hackathons and mentorship initiatives.

On regulation, Inuwa said Nigeria is reviewing the Cybercrime Act of 2015 to align with emerging threats, while strengthening its national cybersecurity architecture under the Office of the National Security Adviser.

The country also operates a 24-hour cybersecurity operations centre that monitors threats, issues advisories and provides real-time support. Technologies such as AI-driven threat detection and dark web monitoring are being deployed to enhance response capabilities.

Inuwa emphasised that collaboration between government and the private sector is critical to securing infrastructure and building national resilience.

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Speaking at a Fireside Chat during the AI Stage of the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) 2025 in Dubai, NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, stated that Nigeria’s approach to AI adoption is “deliberate and strategic.”
“Our vision is clear on how we can harness the transformative power of AI through responsible, ethical, and inclusive innovation to foster sustainable development through collaboration,” Inuwa said.

Inuwa outlined that Nigeria’s national AI strategy is guided by five core principles: responsibility, ethics, inclusivity, sustainability, and collaboration. He stressed that these values must be reflected in every AI activity, as the goal is to shape a future that works for everyone.
The strategy is structured around three key objectives and five strategic pillars, focusing on building foundational infrastructure, accelerating adoption across critical sectors, promoting responsible AI, and ensuring effective governance.

Inuwa highlighted the significant role AI is already playing across sectors:
* Agriculture: AI helps farmers make informed decisions using real-time data on soil, weather, and crop health.
* Healthcare: AI enables faster diagnosis and extends services to rural areas.
* Education: AI literacy is being embedded into formal learning to prepare young people.
* Finance: AI tools are detecting fraud, improving credit access, and driving financial inclusion.

He also projected AI’s potential to enhance public services, envisioning a future where citizens can obtain passports or business permits in minutes rather than weeks, thereby “rebuilding trust between government and citizens.”

M-ATLAS: Building an Indigenous Large Language Model
The NITDA boss revealed that 70% of Nigeria’s online population already uses generative AI tools, surpassing the global average of 48%—a testament to the nation’s youthful population and investment in digital talent.
To ensure this digital growth is culturally relevant and unbiased, Inuwa announced Nigeria’s plan to develop its indigenous Large Language Model (LLM), named M-ATLAS.

“Nigeria has over 500 languages and countless dialects. If we rely only on foreign AI models, they won’t understand our nuances, culture, or people,” he explained. “That is why we are building M-ATLAS, an indigenous LLM that reflects our diversity and eliminates bias. We want an AI that understands the meaning of ‘akwa’, ‘ekaabo’, or ‘sannu,’ not just translates them.”

Inuwa cited other government initiatives, including the Digital Literacy for All programme (DL4ALL), which targets 95% national digital literacy by 2030, and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme.

The Director General concluded with optimism, asserting that Africa can surpass its mobile technology success in AI because “we are building from within, shaping the rules, not catching up with them. If we get it right, AI can help Nigeria achieve tenfold or even hundredfold improvement in productivity and innovation.”

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In early September 2025, Nigeria hosted one of its most ambitious technology showcases yet — GITEX Nigeria, a grand convergence of innovation, policy, and investment across Abuja and Lagos. It was more than a conference. It was a statement — a bold declaration that Nigeria intends not just to participate in the digital future, but to help shape it.

Over three days, 12,000 delegates from 78 countries filled halls, exhibition spaces, and meeting rooms. From policymakers to tech giants, from investors to young entrepreneurs, the diversity and scale of participation signaled Nigeria’s growing confidence as a hub for African innovation. But beyond the numbers and the spectacle lay a deeper message: the Federal Government is now treating technology not just as an economic sector, but as a strategic instrument for diplomacy, investment attraction, and national branding.

Hosting GITEX in Nigeria was not an accident. It was a calculated move anchored in a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Dubai World Trade Centre — the global convener of GITEX. By bringing the event home, NITDA bridged a historic gap between global innovation ecosystems and Africa’s largest digital economy. For once, the world came to Nigeria to explore its potential, rather than the other way around.

The most remarkable aspect of GITEX Nigeria 2025 was not just the exhibitions, but the partnerships forged on its sidelines. The Memorandum of Understanding between NITDA and cybersecurity giant Kaspersky underscored Nigeria’s seriousness about strengthening its cybersecurity architecture. In an era of rising cyber threats, this alliance marked a shift from mere rhetoric to strategic collaboration, combining global expertise with local capacity building.

Equally significant was a bilateral agreement between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, aimed at fostering regional digital cooperation. The accord promises joint efforts on smart infrastructure, digital trade, and cross-border innovation — a model for how African countries can integrate their digital economies instead of competing in silos.

Global tech firms seized the moment too. IBM launched its Power 11 infrastructure solution in Nigeria during the summit. Zinox Technologies, working with KongaCares, unveiled the “Computerise Nigeria” initiative — a social impact project to equip university students with affordable computers, internet connectivity, and power solutions. And in the private sector, 9mobile (T2) signed a multi-million-dollar deal with India’s Knot Solutions, highlighting the commercial importance of GITEX as more than a government showcase — but a deal-making arena for serious investors.

While Lagos buzzed with exhibitions and startup pitches, Abuja played host to a quieter but equally important conversation — the policy sessions. These discussions went beyond speeches; they reflected Nigeria’s readiness to evolve from technology consumer to technology regulator.

At the heart of the dialogue was Artificial Intelligence (AI) — not as a distant dream, but as an urgent governance question. How can Nigeria harness AI responsibly while protecting citizens’ rights? What ethical frameworks must guide data governance, privacy, and algorithmic accountability? International experts and Nigerian policymakers wrestled with these questions, laying the foundation for a national AI strategy built on transparency and inclusion.

Digital inclusion was another major theme. Delegates discussed the sobering reality that millions of Nigerians still lack access to reliable internet or digital literacy. Closing this gap, participants agreed, is central to realizing any digital economy vision. Development partners and private sector actors pledged greater collaboration in expanding broadband infrastructure, investing in rural connectivity, and designing inclusive policies that ensure technology empowers, rather than excludes.

The Lagos leg of the event brought the conversations to life. The GITEX Startup Festival showcased 566 startups — 15 percent international — engaging directly with 207 investors from 22 countries, collectively managing over $55 billion in assets. Through 301 curated investor–startup meetings, 99 Nigerian startups were shortlisted for follow-up engagements.

Fintech, agritech, and AI-driven ventures dominated investor interest — reflecting both Nigeria’s entrepreneurial strength and global trends. These sessions were not symbolic. They led to real funding discussions, incubation offers, and cross-border partnership proposals. For the participating startups, GITEX was a launchpad into the global innovation economy.

The success of GITEX Nigeria 2025 raises an important question: what next?

Events, no matter how grand, mean little without continuity. Stakeholders at the closing sessions recommended that Nigeria establish a post-GITEX task force to track commitments, publish an annual innovation report, and institutionalize the event as a permanent feature of the national calendar. Follow-up mechanisms are essential — not just to monitor deals, but to nurture startups, attract investors, and sustain Nigeria’s growing reputation as a regional tech powerhouse.

GITEX Nigeria 2025 was not merely an exhibition; it was a rebranding exercise for the nation itself. It projected Nigeria not through the lens of crisis or corruption, but through competence, creativity, and collaboration. It showed the world a Nigeria that is not waiting to be rescued, but one ready to lead conversations on artificial intelligence, data governance, and digital inclusion across Africa.

For NITDA, this event reaffirmed the agency’s role as a bridge between innovation and governance. For Nigeria, it marked the beginning of a new narrative — one that positions the country as a serious contender in the global digital economy.

Yet, the true measure of success will not be the number of delegates or signed MoUs, but the tangible transformation that follows. Can Nigeria translate GITEX’s buzz into sustained investment? Can its startups grow into global players? Can its policies match its ambitions?

If the 99 Nigerian startups selected for investor follow-up turn exposure into growth, and partnerships into impact, then GITEX Nigeria 2025 will not just be remembered as a successful event — but as the moment Nigeria finally turned ambition into action.

Shuaib S. Agaka is a tech journalist and digital policy analyst based in Kano.

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When the spotlight fell on Nigeria in early September, it was no ordinary tech gathering; it was a powerful statement of intent. The inaugural GITEX Nigeria 2025 kicked off with a policy-heavy opening day in Abuja before shifting to a dynamic three-day showcase in Lagos. This dual-city event attracted a powerful mix of global tech giants, hundreds of startups, savvy investors, and key policymakers, creating a buzz that resonated far beyond our borders.

In his opening remarks, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, urged pan-African collaboration on shared AI infrastructure, warning that without it, Africa risks being left a passive consumer in the fourth industrial revolution.

He said Africa must urgently build capacity in policy, infrastructure, and human capital to avoid being left behind.

“We need shared infrastructure and local algorithms that reflect our culture. Nigeria is already making progress through initiatives in digital literacy, data centers, and projects like ‘Project Reach’ to connect the unconnected,” Abdullahi said, noting the importance of partnerships with big tech and funding for AI research.

In his keynote address, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, set the national agenda. He revealed a staggering statistic: Nigeria’s digital economy had already generated ₦7 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, accounting for an impressive 14.19% of the nation’s GDP. He didn’t stop there, projecting a bold target of reaching 21% by 2027. His message was clear: Nigeria must not only accelerate digital adoption across all sectors but also build its own homegrown AI models and fiercely safeguard its data sovereignty.

By the time the action moved to Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu added local momentum to the national ambition. He announced that Lagos alone had attracted over $6 billion in technology-focused foreign investment between 2019 and 2024, a testament to the city’s relentless drive to become Africa’s innovation capital.

The numbers electrified the audience, but behind the grand announcements and dazzling statistics, a deeper question lingered: Can Nigeria truly translate this global attention into sustained, broad-based digital transformation? Or will GITEX Nigeria prove to be another fleeting carnival that fades after the banners come down?

For over four decades, GITEX has been synonymous with Dubai, a sprawling expo that often sets the agenda for the global technology landscape. This year, for the first time, the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition extended its brand to Nigeria, a deliberate move that acknowledges the country’s massive population and its vibrant, restless young talent base. The Lagos edition was no modest affair.

Organizers proudly touted the participation of more than 650 startups from across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia; 200 investors and venture capitalists; and over 100 international tech brands, including industry titans like Cisco, IBM, and MTN.
The event’s festival-like energy was palpable, fueled by pitch competitions, insightful panel discussions, and crucial investor roundtables. A major highlight was Nigeria’s own Curacel, a health tech startup, which emerged as the winner of the prestigious Supernova Challenge, GITEX’s flagship startup competition.

For Curacel, this was a powerful validation of years spent building in one of the continent’s toughest markets. For Nigeria’s wider tech ecosystem, it was a clear signal that local innovation is finally earning global credibility and recognition.

The messages from Abuja to Lagos were consistent and carried recurring themes: artificial intelligence, infrastructure, talent, and the creative economy. Minister Tijani underscored the urgent need to embed AI into critical sectors like agriculture, healthcare, logistics, and government services. He argued passionately that Nigeria cannot afford to rely solely on AI systems developed abroad. He called on Africa to build homegrown large language models (LLMs) trained on local languages and data to avoid what he called “data extractivism,” a new form of digital colonization.

Another major talking point was digital infrastructure. With new hyperscale data centers already operational and undersea cables boosting bandwidth, Lagos is strategically positioning itself as a continental hub for cloud services. Officials highlighted “Project BRIDGE,” a fiber backbone initiative designed to expand broadband access and, critically, keep sensitive data within Nigeria’s borders. The emphasis was not just on speed and connectivity but on data sovereignty—ensuring that Nigeria’s information is processed and secured locally rather than exported offshore.
No less central was the question of talent. Nigeria’s “3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT)” program, launched in 2023, was presented as the government’s ambitious answer to the chronic shortage of skilled digital workers. “Without talent, all this infrastructure means nothing,” Tijani stated bluntly. “We need millions of skilled young people to translate potential into reality.”

The creative economy also featured strongly. From the global appeal of Nollywood films to the infectious rhythms of Afrobeats, speakers argued that Nigeria’s cultural exports are natural strengths that can be supercharged by AI, blockchain, and other digital platforms. The ambition, they said, is to shift from global consumption of Nigerian content to the global monetization of African creativity.

Nigeria enters this pivotal moment from a position of undeniable strength. With a population exceeding 220 million, a median age of just 18, and one of the fastest-growing pools of mobile internet users, it is already Africa’s largest digital market. Lagos, in particular, has become a magnet for venture capital, hosting the headquarters of fintech giants like Flutterwave and Paystack. GITEX Nigeria reinforced this momentum, positioning the country as a leader rather than a follower in the continent’s digital future. It also signaled that global tech brands are ready to deepen their stakes in Nigeria, despite the well-known hurdles—unstable power supply, shifting regulations, and currency volatility.

For startups, the event offered exposure and investor access that might otherwise take months to secure. For policymakers, it was a golden opportunity to pitch Nigeria as more than a consumer market: a genuine innovation hub with global aspirations. The central challenge, however, is whether Nigeria can convert the buzz of GITEX into sustained momentum. Experts and investors at the event repeatedly called for practical, actionable steps: publish clear timelines and key performance indicators (KPIs) for flagship projects like Project BRIDGE; create blended public-private funds to finance early-stage startups beyond the confines of Lagos; strengthen university-industry partnerships to build robust research capacity in AI; and introduce interim AI governance to protect data and curb misuse while broader legislation takes shape. As one investor aptly remarked, “The market is here, the talent is here, the culture is here. What we need is consistency and delivery.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu positioned Lagos not just as Nigeria’s commercial capital but as Africa’s innovation capital. He pointed to the city’s expanding fiber grid, burgeoning startup clusters, and dynamic cultural industries as its competitive edge. But he also admitted that this leadership cannot be taken for granted. Other African cities—Nairobi, Cape Town, and Kigali—are equally determined to claim the same mantle. That healthy rivalry may, paradoxically, be a good thing. It forces Nigerian policymakers and investors to deliver results, not just rhetoric.

When the banners come down and the exhibition halls empty, what will remain of GITEX Nigeria 2025? The answer depends entirely on what happens next. If timelines are honored, funds flow into diverse sectors, and local AI models begin to take shape, this event could be remembered as a true turning point—a moment when Africa’s most populous country began to shape its own digital destiny. If not, it risks being remembered as another well-staged carnival with little lasting impact.
For now, at least, Lagos has placed itself squarely on the global tech map. As Minister Bosun Tijani put it, “Africa must lead, not follow.” The real work, however, is just beginning.

Shuaib S. Agaka is a tech journalist based in Kano.

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By Arafat A. Abdulrazaq,

When I stepped into the conference hall of the Abuja Continental Hotel, last week, for GITEX Africa’s debut in Nigeria, I was not there out of idle curiosity. I did not come for tote bags or name tags.

I came with a question that has troubled me for months: will artificial intelligence create jobs for young Nigerians, or will it take them away? For my generation, this is not a theoretical musing.

We have watched AI quietly automate customer service, legal reviews, even the writing of computer code. Nigeria holds one of the largest youth populations in the world, yet if we remain mere consumers of foreign-built AI tools, jobs could vanish faster than they are created.

But if we become producers and early adopters, we could generate entirely new industries. This was why GITEX Nigeria mattered. The same organizers behind GITEX Global — the largest tech gathering across Africa and the Middle East — brought its first Nigerian edition.

Abuja hosted the Government Leadership & AI Summit from September 1–2, 2025, followed by Lagos hosting the Tech Expo and Startup Festival from September 3–4. Ministers, governors, World Bank officials, and tech executives gathered under one roof.

The theme — “Government Leadership and the AI Summit” — was not abstract. It was urgent. Some critics argue Nigeria should fix electricity and roads before chasing artificial intelligence. That is fair, yet also short-sighted.

The AI revolution is unfolding whether we are ready or not, and it allows simultaneous building of infrastructure, regulation, and prototypes. Waiting is the surest path to irrelevance.

Speaking at the event, Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, put it in stark terms: “We want Nigeria not to be an outlier. We want Nigeria to have a third seat at the global table in the new digital AI economy.” Her words lingered with me.

In this new age, you are either seated at the table, or you are on the menu. Nigeria’s place is still undecided. Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General of NITDA, on his part, reminded us that Nigeria has “no excuse” to stay behind.

Our population of over 232 million, with its diversity and expanding digital footprint, offers a massive data advantage. “AI is not just about technology,” he insisted. “It is about people, opportunity, and sovereignty.”

The sessions painted vivid possibilities. In Lagos, an AI tool now scans X-rays within seconds, helping doctors detect pneumonia and saving children’s lives in crowded hospitals. In Kaduna, an AI-powered app predicts rainfall, guiding farmers to plant at the right time and reduce losses.

Yet, the discussions also exposed the gaps. “Skills without use cases is a waste,” one panelist warned. Nigeria graduates thousands of engineers and computer scientists, but with limited industries to absorb them, many drift into unrelated jobs or leave the country altogether.

And then there was the hard truth about computing power. AI runs on GPUs — chips largely made in Taiwan and hoarded in the tug-of-war between China and the United States. Without access, Nigeria cannot train models at scale.

Enter Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, who reframed the problem: “We are not disadvantaged because we lack chips, but because we lack access to the geopolitics behind them.”

His words struck me deeply. Nigeria is racing not just against time, but against global superpowers. I left GITEX Nigeria with no final answers, but with clarity. Our beloved nation is right to prioritize data centers. Chips may be far, but securing our data is non-negotiable.

It is how we preserve our languages, cultures, and realities in the datasets that will define tomorrow’s machines. Without sovereignty over our data, we risk a future where artificial intelligence speaks Silicon Valley slang fluently but struggles with Yoruba, Hausa, or Igbo.

There are also untapped opportunities. Imagine Nigerians pooling unused computing power into swarm networks — a decentralized AI infrastructure. It will not rival Nvidia overnight, but it could harness our collective strength while the world scrambles for GPUs.

The World Bank’s Matthew Verghis explained how blended financing models — grants, public-private partnerships, derisked investments — could support AI adoption. Cape Verde’s Pedro Lopes warned against working in silos, insisting AI must be treated as infrastructure.

That was the heart of it all: artificial intelligence is not a sector. It is the new electricity. A nation that lags risks becoming an economic colony of those who lead. Whoever controls AI infrastructure will control data pipelines, national security, and even cultural memory.

By the time the GITEX event, I was convinced of two things. Nigeria has the talent, ambition, and raw data. But without urgency, vision, and political will, these strengths mean little.

The resolution from GITEX Nigeria should be clear and uncompromising: treat AI as critical infrastructure. In practice, this means commissioning sovereign data centers and public cloud tenancy for government services, launching a national AI Use Cases Program that deploys corps members for training across agriculture, health, and logistics, and establishing a blended-finance AI Fund to support computing power and startups.

These are not dreams. They are steps we can take within 12 to 18 months. The question I carried into GITEX Nigeria still echoes: will artificial intelligence create jobs for us, or take them away?

The answer depends entirely on what Great Fatherland chooses to do in the next few years.

As-Sayyidul Arafat Abdulrazaq is a corps member serving with the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), Abuja. He can be reached via: as.sayyid21@gmail.com.

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Sanwo-Olu made the announcement on Wednesday at the GITEX Nigeria 2025 Conference in Lagos, describing the state as Africa’s “innovation nerve centre.”

According to him, Lagos accounted for over 70% of Nigeria’s tech investment inflows during the period, with most African unicorns tracing their roots to the city.

“This is the essence of Lagos. A place where diversity fuels creativity and resilience. Between 2019 and 2024, we saw over $6 billion in direct foreign tech startup funding,” the governor said.

He attributed the success to state-led support through digital infrastructure, pro-innovation policies, and funding initiatives, including a research and design fund that provides startups with grants ranging from ₦50 million to ₦80 million.

Sanwo-Olu also highlighted Lagos’ digital governance initiatives, such as the Lagos Digital Service Platform, which enables residents to access healthcare, transport, and civic services online, and the Cowry Card, now used by more than 6.5 million residents across multiple transport modes.

Marking the second anniversary of the Blue Line Rail System, he announced a 50% fare reduction for commuters to celebrate the milestone, noting that more than 5 million passengers had used the system so far.

Sanwo-Olu emphasised that Lagos was committed to building a data-driven, AI-enabled, and inclusive digital economy, with support from global tech giants such as Cisco, IBM, and MTN.

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The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, stated this yesterday, at the opening of Lagos Edition of GITEX Nigeria 2025 conference and exhibition.

Tijani, in his keynote address, rallied global investors to Nigeria, saying the country is ripe for investments, especially within the startup ecosystem.

According to him, Nigeria is the largest telecom market in Africa and currently contributes between 16 per cent and 18 per cent to GDP, “but we are targeting 21 per cent contribution from the ICT sector by 2027”.

Tijani, who called on global investors to see Nigeria as a new investment destination, stressed the importance of the Lagos ecosystem, saying the state is seen as one of the fastest-growing cities in the world.

According to him, about 2000 people are added daily to the Lagos population.

Tijani said that despite the challenges, five to six of Africa’s unicorns are actually from Nigeria. He added that the state is home to the largest technology hubs in the region.

Outside the tech ecosystem, he said the state has enabled Africa’s creative heartbeat, the Nollyhood, where about $15 billion is projected to be created by the creative economy in the coming years.

He disclosed that starting from October 1, the Federal Government will fund 75 new research projects in digital innovation under a N75 million scheme.

Tijani said the N75 million initiative is targeted at researchers, startups, corporates and the Nigerian diaspora, with the aim of deepening participation in digital innovation and building a resilient ecosystem capable of competing globally.

In his address, Lagos State Governor, Babajide SanwoOlu, said the Lagos technology ecosystem is fast becoming phenomenal, saying that in the last five years over $6 billion startups funds have entered the state.

Sanwo-Olu, who described it as an honor and mindsetting goals for the state to host the event, said people across the globe defied the challenges of the environment to be in Nigeria, specifically Abuja and Lagos.

“A state of between 20 million and 22 million strong people with all tribes represented. The diversity of the state fuels startup ecosystem growth with over $6 billion startups funds entered the state in the last five years. We can also boast of hyperscale data centres, increased fibre infrastructure and landing of submarine cable systems.

“Today, 70 per cent of tech economy gains coming to Nigeria are sitting in Lagos. We believe that governance in the 24th century must be digital,” he stated.

According to him, the state is ready to further support the ecosystem by ensuring an investment-friendly environment, stabilized by policies.

Speaking, the Director-General, National Information and Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullah, Nigeria, is the crucible of development.

According to him, Nigeria has started a journey that will ensure that it builds solutions that will help startups scale up by as much as 10 times.

“As a nation, the vision is clear; economic diversification and infrastructure development. So many disruptions are going to emerge from here. Investors should come to Nigeria, though we can do it “without you, but we should do it together.”

On her part, Lohmirmand, Nigeria, is ranked as one of the fastest-rising and growing Fintechs in the world. She added that Nigerians scale with resilience, not just capital.

“Nigeria is global, they beat countries like Mumbai, Turkey and many more countries with Fintechs and startups,” she stated.

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The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called on African nations to take an active role in the global artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, warning that the continent cannot afford to be left behind as in previous industrial eras.

Speaking at the opening of GITEX Africa 2025 in Nigeria, the DG said AI offers Africa the opportunity to leapfrog development and drive exponential economic growth. He noted that global estimates show AI could boost the world economy by up to 20% within the next five years, but stressed that Africa must invest in human capital, infrastructure, and innovation to benefit.

He highlighted Nigeria’s initiatives such as nationwide digital literacy programs, partnerships with global tech companies, and projects to expand connectivity. The DG also emphasized the need for African-built AI solutions that reflect the continent’s culture and languages.

“We cannot afford to miss this fourth industrial revolution,” he said. “This time, Africa must not only provide resources but also design, build, and own the technologies shaping our future.”

The DG urged governments, private sector players, and academia across Africa to collaborate on policies, infrastructure, and innovation ecosystems, adding:

“If we act together, Africa can lead in AI and secure prosperity for future generations.”

The Abuja sessions will be followed by the Tech Expo & Future Economy Conference on September 3-4 at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre in Lagos, alongside a Startup Festival at the Landmark Centre.

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