The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, has underscored the importance of innovation in driving Nigeria’s sustainable development, economic diversification, and global competitiveness.
Speaking at the 8th Annual Research Fair and Exhibition of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), Inuwa called on academia, industry leaders, and policymakers to leverage disruptive transformational innovation as a tool to address national challenges and unlock the country’s potential.
In his keynote address, delivered by Engr Ya’u Garba, Deputy Director of eGovernment and Digital Economy Development, Inuwa commended NSUK for organizing an event focused on knowledge-driven solutions.
He praised the university’s dedication to transformation, stating that initiatives like the research fair reflect an understanding of the need for impactful innovations to solve real-world problems.
Inuwa noted that while academic inventions are vital, their true value lies in their ability to transition from theoretical exploration to practical innovations.
He highlighted that these innovations could reshape industries, solve societal challenges, and accelerate national progress.
He urged institutions to prioritize creativity and bold thinking to ensure research outputs translate into tangible benefits for society.
He described disruptive transformational innovation as a profound force capable of altering established systems, processes, and products in ways that redefine societal functions.
He explained that unlike incremental improvements, disruptive innovations address challenges in groundbreaking and previously unimaginable ways.
Historical examples such as the Printing Press, the Steam Engine, and Electricity were cited as examples of transformative changes that shaped modern development.
Inuwa emphasized Nigeria’s unique opportunity to harness its abundant human and natural resources for sustainable development.
He called for collaboration among academia, industries, and the government to create an environment that nurtures creativity, supports bold investments, and encourages inclusive growth.
He stressed that such an ecosystem is critical for fostering homegrown innovations capable of positioning Nigeria at the forefront of global technological and economic advancements.
Highlighting NITDA’s ongoing efforts, Inuwa spoke about various initiatives, including the National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA), which aims to digitally transform agriculture, the National Blockchain Adoption Strategy to enhance digital trust and transparency, and the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy aimed at building a robust AI ecosystem in the country.
These initiatives align with the Federal Government’s broader strategy to establish Nigeria as a leader in the global knowledge economy.
Inuwa encouraged NSUK to deepen its commitment to innovation by establishing hubs for facility-led startups, fostering collaborations with industry stakeholders, and equipping students with essential technological skills.
He expressed confidence that such efforts would not only empower the university community but also contribute significantly to national development.
He concluded by calling on all stakeholders to embrace the transformative power of innovation to drive sustainable development, economic diversification, and global relevance for Nigeria.
