As Nigeria gears up to host the world for GITEX Nigeria 2025, the director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi has extended a strong call to international investors to take advantage of the immense opportunities embedded in Nigeria’s fast-growing digital economy.
Speaking during a high-level breakfast meeting with global stakeholders at GITEX Africa 2025 in Marrakech, Morocco, the DG described Nigeria as a land brimming with promise, driven by a youthful, innovative and tech-savvy population ready to lead in the digital age.
With GITEX Nigeria scheduled to hold from September 1 to 4, 2025, across Abuja and Lagos, the NITDA boss presented a compelling vision of a country where digital innovation meets real-world opportunity and where a committed government is aligning policy with grassroots entrepreneurial energy.
“Nigeria is a country with a large, youthful, innovative, creative and highly competent workforce – where startups and scale-ups thrive and where entrepreneurial spirit and technological advancement are shaping the future,” he said.
Abdullahi pointed out that over 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population is under the age of 25, making it one of the youngest countries in the world. This demographic advantage, he said, positions Nigeria as a natural hub for talent and innovation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
He noted that the federal government is fully committed to transforming the country into a leading digital economy through wide-ranging reforms, strategic investments in infrastructure and a national agenda centered on digital literacy.
“The President is bullish about digital development. He is investing in digital infrastructure and digital sovereignty – creating platforms for Nigerians not just to consume technology, but to build it, export it and lead globally,” the DG stated.
He highlighted that the government’s education-focused initiatives aim to embed digital skills across school curricula, as well as nationwide training programmes designed to empower youth with the tools to create and innovate rather than merely use existing technologies.
On infrastructure, he stressed the importance of cloud adoption, describing it as essential for scalability, agility and success in today’s fast-evolving digital economy.
“You cannot succeed today with on-premises infrastructure,” he said. “To be agile, secure and future-ready, you must be on the cloud.”
Beyond just positioning Nigeria as a participant in the global tech space, Inuwa said Africa – and especially Nigeria – has the potential to lead the digital revolution thanks to its native digital population, boundless creativity and hunger for innovation.
Looking ahead to GITEX Nigeria 2025, he described the event as a landmark moment. Abuja, the nation’s policy capital, will host critical conversations around reforms, investor-friendly regulations, and governance frameworks, while Lagos, home to Africa’s most vibrant startup ecosystem, will spotlight Nigeria’s digital energy, creativity and business potential.
“We are nurturing an ecosystem where innovation is not just encouraged but scaled. We are using technology to challenge the status quo, to create collective intelligence and to solve real-life problems. This is the Nigeria we are building,” he concluded.
The excitement around GITEX Nigeria 2025 was shared by several international partners present at the Marrakech meeting.
Sales director at Zoho Corporation, Vijayaragavan Venugopal noted that the African market, particularly Nigeria, has seen tremendous growth over the last seven years. He described GITEX Nigeria as a crucial opportunity for collective learning, collaboration and expansion.
“We’re excited to be part of GITEX Nigeria. The event will not only empower the Nigerian market but will also catalyze growth across Africa. It’s an opportunity for the tech ecosystem to come together, share ideas, and build the future together,” he said.
Also speaking was CEO of Alami Capital, Olu Olufemi White who emphasised the need for investments that prioritise human-centered innovation. She urged global investors to shift focus from purely profit-driven models to solutions that address real human and community needs.
White reaffirmed her company’s commitment to transforming communities through strategic investments in scalable, sustainable tech ventures. However, she stressed that meaningful innovation can only flourish when paired with reliable energy infrastructure and sustainable financing.
She also made a heartfelt appeal to the international community to support Nigeria’s tech ecosystem from the ground up.
“We’re seeing increasing activity from global players like Google, Cisco and Flutterwave – but we need more. Don’t wait until we become unicorns or global sensations before you tell our stories. Walk with us now, build with us and let’s shape the future of Africa together,” she said.
GITEX Nigeria 2025 is poised to be a transformative event, not only highlighting Nigeria’s digital economy but also offering a collaborative platform for global investors, innovators and startups to forge partnerships that shape the next phase of digital advancement in Africa.
