The director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi has underscored the urgent need for robust collaboration among academia, industry and government to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation.
He made this call during a working visit by a delegation from Lancaster University, United Kingdom, led by director of international research, Prof. Kirk Semple to NITDA’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.
The visit centred on exploring avenues for strategic collaboration under the Research and Innovation Partnership for Entrepreneurship (RIPE) programme – an initiative designed to harness academic research and innovation to drive entrepreneurial development and economic transformation in Nigeria.
Addressing the delegation, Abdullahi noted that Nigeria – and Africa at large – suffers from a significant research investment gap, which continues to stall efforts toward building knowledge-based economies. “To build a robust and sustainable economy, we must invest more in research. That is the missing piece in Nigeria and across the continent – we simply do not invest enough in research,” he said.
Citing agriculture as a key example, Abdullahi pointed out that many Nigerian farmers still lack access to data and digital tools that could revolutionise productivity and enhance resource efficiency. He stressed that research and development (R&D) must be the cornerstone of addressing sector-specific challenges and developing policies that can unlock meaningful growth.
He also outlined NITDA’s focus on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), robotics and additive manufacturing. He said these technologies hold vast potential to address Nigeria’s development needs and create new opportunities for digital entrepreneurship.
“Our goal is to build a vibrant research and technology ecosystem where academia, government, industry, entrepreneurs and risk capital can connect and collaborate,” he said. He emphasised that aligning university curricula with real-world industry demands is essential for developing talent that is both innovative and employable. He also cautioned against duplicative efforts, stressing the need for better coordination among stakeholders.
Abdullahi referenced the eight strategic pillars set by the Federal Government to drive national development. These include reforming the economy for inclusive growth, strengthening national security, boosting agriculture, unlocking energy and natural resources, enhancing infrastructure and transportation, focusing on education, health and social investments, accelerating diversification through industrialisation and innovation, and improving governance and service delivery.
To support these ambitions, he highlighted NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0 (SRAP 2024–2027), structured around eight interconnected pillars. These are: fostering digital literacy and talent cultivation; building a robust technology research ecosystem; strengthening policy and legal frameworks; promoting inclusive access to digital infrastructure and services; enhancing cybersecurity and digital trust; nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship; forging strategic partnerships and cultivating a responsive and agile public sector workforce.
“We prioritise research because it is the foundation for policies and regulations that can genuinely transform the digital ecosystem,” he said.
Abdullahi described the Lancaster University engagement as a critical milestone in NITDA’s broader commitment to international collaboration. He said it aligns closely with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda, positioning Nigeria to assume a leadership role in the global digital economy through innovation anchored in research.
In his remarks, Semple applauded NITDA for its vision and expressed Lancaster University’s readiness to build long-term partnerships that deliver societal value. He described the RIPE programme as a platform for translating academic knowledge into practical solutions.
“Universities today are under pressure to show value beyond knowledge creation,” Semple said. “Strategic partnerships like this one with NITDA ensure research informs policy, fuels innovation and drives change in real communities.”
He emphasised the critical role universities play in bridging the gap between research and application, particularly for organisations that lack in-house R&D capabilities. He noted that such collaborations are essential for tackling global challenges such as climate change, public health crises and technological inequality.
Semple concluded by calling for long-term, inclusive research networks that extend beyond the walls of academia. He said success should be measured not by publications or accolades, but by tangible impact on people, industries and society at large.
