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Strategic collaboration targets entrepreneurship, emerging technologies, and sustainable development under RIPE programme.
NITDA Champions Research-Driven Innovation for National Growth
In a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is calling for stronger collaboration between academia, industry, and government to unlock the country’s innovation potential and drive sustainable national development.
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During a working visit to NITDA headquarters in Abuja, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General of NITDA, hosted a delegation from Lancaster University, United Kingdom, led by Professor Kirk Semple, Director of International Research. The visit focused on fostering cooperation through the Research and Innovation Partnership for Entrepreneurship (RIPE) programme—a project that seeks to turn academic research into practical, marketable solutions.
Bridging Africa’s Research Investment Gap
Abdullahi decried Africa’s underinvestment in research and development (R&D), identifying it as a key barrier to building a knowledge-based economy. He stressed that robust research is essential for crafting data-driven policies and innovative technologies that can transform key sectors like agriculture, health, infrastructure, and education. He said:
“For Nigeria to build a resilient digital economy, we must prioritise investment in research. Without it, we cannot craft effective regulations or build innovation ecosystems that solve real-world problems.”
NITDA’s Focus on Emerging Technologies and Industry Readiness
The NITDA DG highlighted the agency’s emphasis on emerging technologies, including:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)]
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Blockchain
- Drones and UAVs
- Robotics
- Additive Manufacturing
These tools, he noted, hold the potential to create new markets, empower local entrepreneurs, and address Nigeria’s unique development challenges.
Abdullahi also urged universities to align academic curricula with industry needs, preparing students for real-world problem-solving through innovation and entrepreneurship.
Strategic Vision Anchored in Government’s Eight Development Pillars
Reinforcing NITDA’s alignment with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Abdullahi linked the agency’s efforts to the eight strategic pillars for national development, which include:
- Economic reform and inclusive growth
- Agricultural development for food security
- Innovation-led industrialisation
- Infrastructure and transportation development
- Natural resource optimisation
- Education and health transformation
- Security and governance reform
- Public service efficiency
To support these goals, NITDA is implementing its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0 (SRAP 2024–2027), structured around eight key focus areas, including fostering digital skills, strengthening cybersecurity, enabling infrastructure access, and building a vibrant research ecosystem.
Lancaster University Commits to Global Impact through Strategic Partnerships
Professor Kirk Semple affirmed Lancaster University’s commitment to delivering research with real-world value. He described the RIPE programme as a platform to bridge theory and practice, ensuring that academic insights fuel policy, innovation, and community impact. He said:
“Today’s universities must show value beyond publishing research. Collaborations like this with NITDA enable us to support innovation ecosystems and drive sustainable impact where it matters most.”
He emphasized the critical role of innovation in addressing global challenges, such as climate change, public health, and technological inequality, through accessible research and cross-sector collaboration.
