The director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi has emphasised the importance of a safe and inclusive digital environment for both humans and artificial intelligence (AI) practices in Nigeria.
In an effort to collaborate and form strategic partnerships for Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, Inuwa welcomed a team from TikTok to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja. The goal of the meeting was to form an alliance to advance the country, aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s priority of strengthening national security for peace and prosperity.
Abdullahi stated that content moderation strategies would help address online problems such as hate speech, misinformation and cyberbullying in relation to the protection of minors across the country. He also mentioned that the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries has already helped ensure digital safety in accordance with global best practices.
The DG highlighted the need for collaboration between different organisations and institutions towards the actualisation of goals and objectives for service delivery and the advancement of the nation. He pointed out that leveraging the TikTok platform could advance the country through Digital Literacy 4 All, capacity-building, knowledge sharing, trainings and curbing misinformation and digital safety. He added that the platform allows for creative expression through filters, stickers and editing tools, entertainment, comedy and informational videos on various topics, making it a launchpad for influencers and trends that can go viral.
Abdullahi explained that NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0 (SRAP 2024-2027) is structured around eight pillars, including fostering digital literacy and cultivating talents, building a robust technology research ecosystem, strengthening policy implementation and legal frameworks, promoting inclusive access to digital infrastructure and services, enhancing cybersecurity and digital trust, nurturing an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem, forging strategic partnerships and collaborations and cultivating a vibrant organisational culture with an agile workforce.
The head of government regulation and public policy, TikTok Nigeria and West Africa, Mrs. Tokunbo Ibrahim lauded NITDA for its various initiatives, programmes and policies that align with those of TikTok. She hailed the agency as one of the biggest and critical stakeholders in Nigeria that has made outstanding strides and performance in advancing the digital economy sector. Ibrahim commended NITDA for providing the opportunity for Nigerians to use the platform to market, sell, and export their products and services as well as talents to the outside world and make a living out of it.
She added that the TikTok platform considers online safety as one of its critical areas to secure the cyber space by providing users with the opportunity to thrive and be productive in their various activities. TikTok is currently running African mall to push the narrative of Africa to the world and creators are being equipped with information that they can create contents for products and services in Nigeria, thus can be exported to other countries of the world attracting investments.
