The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reiterated its commitment to positioning Nigeria as a leading force in Africa’s artificial intelligence (AI) economy, stressing that the nation’s digital future depends on responsible AI adoption, digital sovereignty, and indigenous innovation.
Speaking at the AI Summit Nigeria 2026 held in Abuja, NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, described artificial intelligence as a transformative technology capable of reshaping every sector of the economy. His remarks were delivered by the Agency’s Acting Director of Regulation and Compliance, Barrister Emmanuel Edet.
Addressing participants at the summit themed “From Policy to Progress: Accelerating Responsible AI Adoption for Nigeria’s Digital Decade,” Inuwa emphasized that public trust remains the foundation for the successful deployment of AI technologies.
He warned that without accountability and transparency, the widespread adoption of AI would face significant challenges.
“Without public trust, AI adoption will be stalled. Without accountability, innovation will not scale sustainably, and without transparency, citizens will lose confidence in the systems designed to serve them,” he stated.
The summit, jointly organised by Microsoft, NITDA and MTN, convened stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to explore practical pathways for integrating artificial intelligence into Nigeria’s economic development agenda.
A major highlight of Inuwa’s address was the call for Nigeria to attain digital sovereignty by transitioning from a consumer of global technologies to a creator of innovative solutions tailored to local realities.
“We must become creators of intelligence rooted in our realities and responsive to our aspirations. We must build local talent, strengthen research ecosystems and create an enabling environment where Nigerian and African solutions can thrive,” he said.
According to him, Africa must move beyond merely adapting to technologies developed elsewhere and actively contribute to shaping the future of artificial intelligence on the global stage.
Also speaking at the summit, Microsoft’s Director of Government Affairs for West Africa, Nonye Ujam, commended Nigeria’s progress in AI governance through initiatives such as the National AI Strategy and ongoing regulatory reforms.
She, however, challenged stakeholders to shift focus from policy formulation to implementation, urging greater commitment to deploying AI solutions capable of delivering tangible benefits to citizens, businesses and government institutions.
Ujam noted that effective AI adoption requires robust governance frameworks, reliable digital infrastructure and strong institutional capacity, while ensuring that innovation remains anchored on the principles of fairness, security, transparency and accountability.
Discussions at the summit also focused on regulatory certainty, digital sovereignty and the need to strike a balance between innovation, collaboration and strategic control within Nigeria’s rapidly evolving technology ecosystem.
The event attracted participation from key institutions, including the Nigeria Customs Service, the National Identity Management Commission and Galaxy Backbone, reflecting a growing national consensus on harnessing artificial intelligence as a catalyst for economic growth, digital transformation and sustainable development.
