The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has renewed its call for stronger collaboration among government, industry, academia and technology professionals to accelerate digital innovation and position Nigeria for inclusive economic growth.
The call was made at the 20th Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) International Conference 2026 in Jos, Plateau State, where the agency stressed the need to harness emerging technologies to drive governance, create jobs and strengthen Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
Speaking on behalf of the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, the Agency’s Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnerships, Dr. Aristotle Onumo, said Nigeria’s digital future depends on sustained investments in innovation, digital skills, research and strategic partnerships capable of delivering measurable socio-economic impact.
He said NITDA remains focused on implementing its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan through initiatives that promote digital literacy, research and development, emerging technologies, cyber sovereignty and innovation-driven ecosystems to accelerate the country’s digital economy.
Onumo added that the agency is expanding opportunities for innovators, entrepreneurs and technology startups through platforms that encourage collaboration and investment across the digital ecosystem. He noted that the Digital Nigeria initiative is being repositioned as the nation’s foremost innovation platform, bringing together policymakers, investors, startups, researchers and technology companies to accelerate economic growth and digital transformation.
He also urged innovators and startup founders to take advantage of the forthcoming Builders Summit to showcase indigenous solutions capable of addressing Nigeria’s development priorities.
Declaring the conference open, Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, described digital technology as indispensable to modern governance and economic development. He said his administration has leveraged digital solutions to improve public service delivery, enhance internally generated revenue and modernise government processes across the state.
Mutfwang added that technology would also play a decisive role in transforming agriculture, improving productivity and strengthening food security, urging participants to ensure that deliberations at the conference produce practical outcomes that will benefit the country.
Earlier, President of the Nigeria Computer Society, Prof. Muhammad Sirajo, FNCS, said the conference was designed to foster collaboration among policymakers, researchers, regulators and industry leaders on strategies for deploying emerging technologies to drive national development.
Speaking on the conference theme, Harnessing Digital Innovation and Emerging Technologies for Inclusive Growth and Economic Renaissance (RISE 2026), Sirajo identified artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, cybersecurity and robotics as key technologies shaping the future of global economies.
He said Nigeria’s youthful population and expanding digital ecosystem provide a unique opportunity to build a globally competitive economy, stressing that sustained investment in innovation, digital infrastructure and skills development remains critical to achieving that goal.
The conference attracted government officials, regulators, technology professionals, academics, development partners and private-sector leaders to deliberate on policies and innovations expected to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation and inclusive economic renaissance.
