The director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi was recently awarded an Honourary Doctor of Business Administration (Leadership and Management) by the prestigious California Metropolitan University (CMU).
The presentation occurred during the renowned Leaders Without Borders Annual Business (LWD) Summit in London.
The LWD Annual Business Summit draws business leaders, entrepreneurs and thought leaders from across the globe, fostering collaboration and innovation in the business world. This esteemed recognition was bestowed upon Abdullahi in acknowledgement of his exceptional leadership and notable contributions to the advancement of Nigeria’s information technology sector.
Abdullahi has garnered immense respect within the Nigerian tech community and has played a pivotal role in driving the country’s digital transformation agenda. He has steadfastly advocated leveraging technology in education, healthcare, agriculture and various other sectors. Moreover, he has spearheaded efforts to establish strategic partnerships between the Nigerian government and the private sector, expediting the growth of the country’s tech industry.
During his tenure, the NITDA has formulated numerous regulatory frameworks for IT development, ensuring their accessibility in both digital and physical formats. The agency has also undertaken initiatives to cultivate digital skills in educational institutions and underserved areas, aiming to foster human capital development and provide universal access to digital services. Abdullahi’s leadership has further resulted in the establishment of numerous IT hubs, IT parks and community ICT centres, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities across Nigeria. These efforts and NITDA’s support for startups, IT hubs and ecosystem builders through the Nigeria ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship Vision (NIIEV) have generated employment opportunities for Nigerian youths.
Recognising the importance of nurturing talent, Abdullahi’s thoughtful leadership led to the establishment of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR). This institution actively drives research, development and adoption of emerging technologies in Nigeria.
The honourary degree from CMU serves as a significant tribute to Abdullahi’s remarkable contributions to the Nigerian information technology sector, underscoring his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing the country’s digital transformation agenda.
Expressing his gratitude in his acceptance speech, the NITDA boss extended his appreciation to CMU, Leaders Without Borders and his loved ones for their unwavering support. He expressed his dedication to continuing the promotion of the Nigerian tech industry’s growth, emphasising his honour at being recognised for his work. Abdullahi pledged to persistently strive for Nigeria to become a leading player in the global tech space.
“I am immensely grateful to the university, Leaders Without Borders, and my loved ones for their support. This recognition has inspired me to drive transformative change and make a positive impact in leadership and management,” he said.
Abdullahi’s outstanding achievements and dedication to advancing the Nigerian tech industry have been internationally acknowledged through this prestigious honourary doctorate, further solidifying his influential role in the country’s digital landscape.
