NITDA AND NIPSS PARTNERSHIP TO BOOST DIGITAL INNOVATION
Kashifu Inuwa, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), emphasized the importance of collaboration to generate the best solutions from ideas, experiences, insights, and shared knowledge necessary for the country’s development.
Inuwa made these remarks while hosting participants of the 2024 Senior Executive Course 46, who were on a strategic tour to study the Agency’s operations in advancing the Digital Economy in line with the current administration’s agenda.
The team from NITDA was led by Brigadier General Abdulrahman Idris from NIPSS.
Inuwa highlighted that no organization can achieve its goals and objectives in isolation. He stressed the need to collaborate with other institutions to learn and share ideas that would positively impact the lives of citizens and improve living standards across the country.
He emphasized that collaboration between NITDA and NIPSS would underscore the importance of leveraging technology and digital innovation to drive economic growth, create more job opportunities for citizens, and attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
At NITDA, we began by re-imagining and reinventing our social contract with Nigerians and the ecosystem. This led to a change in the Agency’s mission and vision to improve service delivery and accelerate the growth of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. We need to ensure that our core values reflect our commitment to fulfilling our duties and serving Nigerians.
In providing insights into NITDA’s strategic direction, Inuwa mentioned the agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2024-2027) 2.0. This plan is structured around eight pillars, including Fostering Digital Literacy and Cultivating Talents, Building a Robust Technology Research Ecosystem, Strengthening Policy Implementation and Legal Frameworks, Promoting Inclusive Access to Digital Infrastructure and Services, Enhancing Cybersecurity and Digital Trust, Nurturing an Innovative and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, Forging Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations, and Cultivating a Vibrant Organizational Culture with an Agile Workforce.
Brigadier General Idris explained that NIPSS was established by Decree number 20 of 1979, now Cap N-51 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
He stated that the Institute was created as a high-level institution with the primary objectives of serving as the nation’s foremost policy think-tank, developing a cadre of top-class technocrats with high intellectual capacity. These individuals would conceptualize and anchor the implementation of innovative and dynamic policy initiatives and strategies critical for national development.
Idris noted that since its inception, the institution has graduated 45 courses, supporting government institutions in policy implementation for national development.
He mentioned that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has tasked the institutions with addressing issues of national interest around the digital economy sector. NITDA is a critical stakeholder in this sector, which informed their visit.
