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RL: Mallam Kashif Abdullahi, Director General, National Information Technology Development Authority. Japan International Cooperation Agency Chairman Akihiko Tanaka inspects one of the facilities of the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics during his visit to the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in Abuja.
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Malam Kashif Andurahi, has revealed that the collaboration between the agency and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has significantly elevated Nigeria’s startup ecosystem to the world stage.
The statement was made during a meeting with JICA Chairman Dr. Akihiko Tanaka at the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), a special vehicle office established by NIITDA, in Abuja.
Highlighting the fruitful impact of the partnership, Abdullahi said, “Through this collaboration, we have sponsored Nigerian startups to participate in technology exhibitions and conferences in Africa and the Middle East. with Japanese companies such as Mitsubishi, resulting in the training of 112 startup founders from 56 companies and the creation of over 300 direct jobs in Nigeria.”
Established in 2001, NITDA’s mission is to implement national IT policy. At its inception, fewer than 500,000 Nigerians had access to computers, but significant progress has been made in bridging the digital divide. Today, Nigeria’s ICT sector has grown from less than 0.5% of GDP to more than 16%, and 120 million people have access to computers. This impressive development confirms the agency’s commitment to improving technological literacy and capacity in the country.
Abdullahi cited a World Bank study that predicts that the global talent shortage could reach 85 million people by 2030, resulting in an annual value loss of $8.5 trillion. To address this pressing gap, he said, “A strategic talent pipeline between Nigeria and Japan will leverage Nigeria’s youth to address the challenges of Japan’s aging workforce and forge a symbiotic partnership. You can do that,” he suggested.
The Director-General outlined NIITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), which includes eight key pillars aimed at driving Nigeria’s digital transformation. He emphasized that developing digital literacy is essential to developing a skilled workforce, while building a robust technology research ecosystem will foster innovation and research and development in emerging technologies.
Abdullahi further stated, “The Agency will strengthen policy implementation and legal frameworks, promote inclusive access to digital infrastructure and services, strengthen cybersecurity, and foster an innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem. I’m planning something.” He added that NIITDA will focus on internal transformation to become more agile and create a psychologically safe environment where all stakeholders can actively contribute.
In his remarks, Tanaka said partnering with NIITDA was a wise decision considering its important role in global development, and praised NIITDA’s dedication. He emphasized co-creation as JICA’s guiding principle and emphasized that this approach is consistent with JICA’s mission to work with organizations like NIITDA to foster growth and address global challenges. did.
“Co-creation is the most important principle guiding our activities, especially when leveraging information technology to promote sustainable development,” he asserted. He also appreciated Nigeria’s proactive efforts in advancing information technology and artificial intelligence and affirmed JICA’s commitment to cooperate in these efforts.
By leveraging the strategic application of these technologies, Nigeria can expect to see a surge in startup creation by young entrepreneurs. Mr. Tanaka advocates harnessing the creative potential of young engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions that enhance the well-being of society and position Nigeria as a fast-growing technology hub in the global market. I did.
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