The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullah has reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing collaboration with the United States in creating a secure, trustworthy, and resilient digital ecosystem, focusing on data privacy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and capacity building.
He made these remarks during his address at the Nigeria Data Privacy Capacity Building Workshop, organized by the U.S. Department of State in partnership with the Nigerian Mission and other stakeholders in the digital sector.
Inuwa expressed his enthusiasm for the engagement, characterizing the workshop as a significant reaffirmation of the enduring partnership between Nigeria and the United States in advancing the nation’s technical and digital systems. He emphasized that this collaboration is not a new venture; rather, it reflects a growing and intentional effort by both nations to tackle emerging digital challenges and seize new opportunities.
He recalled that in April 2024, Nigeria and the U.S., through the U.S.–Nigeria Binational Commission, committed to working together on critical areas including data privacy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, capacity building, and other facets of digital development.
Moreover, he noted that the same year saw the successful hosting of an Artificial Intelligence Conference, co-organized by the Nigerian Government and the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, alongside Nigeria’s active engagement with U.S. cybersecurity firms to explore partnership opportunities aimed at enhancing the country’s technical ecosystem.
Inuwa emphasized that NITDA’s focus on data privacy, AI, cybersecurity, and related policies centers on one crucial goal: to build trust within the digital ecosystem. He argued that trust is vital for digital transformation—its absence hinders innovation and inflates costs, while its presence facilitates progress and lowers growth barriers.
He stated that fostering a robust digital economy necessitates deliberate initiatives to protect data privacy, reinforce security frameworks, and responsibly deploy AI. He explained that artificial intelligence is data-dependent, data necessitates privacy, and privacy can only be secured through strong security measures, underscoring the importance of addressing these issues collectively.
Inuwa described the workshop as the initial step toward broader discussions and deeper collaborations in various strategic areas, particularly as Nigeria aims to establish itself as a significant player in the global digital economy.
He also revealed that following the U.S. Mission’s involvement in Nigeria’s National Cybersecurity Conference last year, plans are in progress to transform this conference into an international cybersecurity platform this year.
According to the DG, digital technology is no longer optional, as it represents the future of economic growth and development, and no nation can afford to be left behind. He emphasised that the only way to fully harness the opportunities of the ongoing AI revolution is by safeguarding privacy, establishing sound policies, and laying a strong digital foundation capable of supporting rapid technological advancement.
He appreciated the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Mission in Nigeria for their continued partnership and support, expressing optimism that the collaboration will be further strengthened to explore new areas of cooperation, particularly in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, for the mutual benefit of both countries.
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