The director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi, has been recognised and honoured with the prestigious Special African Leadership Commendation Award for his contributions to IT development in Nigeria.
The award, presented by the African Leadership Organisation, took place at the organisation’s summit which took place recently at the House of Lords, London, United Kingdom. The event was hosted by Lord Dollar Popat, a member of the UK House of Lords and the prime minister’s trade envoy to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda.
Abdullahi was honoured with the award in recognition of his exceptional leadership achievements and contributions to Nigeria’s economy, his contributions to the growth of the Nigerian information technology (IT) sector and digital economy, as well as his role in the unprecedented achievements recorded in the implementation of NDEPS.
During his acceptance speech, the NITDA boss who was represented by NITDA’s director, IT infrastructure solutions, Dr. Usman Abdullahi expressed his delight at receiving the award.
He stated that the award would inspire him to do more, as it offers the next level of motivation which could have a profound impact on the agency, IT sector and society.
Abdullahi added that the award is unique and historic in the sense that it is received in the oldest house of parliament in the world and one of Britain’s important institutions, the UK House of Lords.
The event attracted leading African policy and business leaders, development finance players, professionals and members of the academia.
In attendance were UK ministers, including the Honourable Vicky Ford, minister for Africa; Honourable Renganden Padayachy, minister of finance; Economic planning and development, Mauritius, Dr. Akindele Akintoye; Chairman, Platform Capital Nigeria, Dr. Emmanuel Nwogbo; Group managing director, Alfa Centauri West Africa Limited, Nigeria; CEO, Heritage Bank Nigeria, Dr. Ifie Sekibo; CEO, NMB Bank, Tanzania, Ruth Zaipuna; President, National Bar Association, USA Carlos Moore and Sam Matekane, group chairman, Matekane Group of Companies, Lesotho.
